[brian]

DOCTORS will be forced to use nurse chaperones during intimate examinations under plans being considered by ministers.

An independent inquiry into the conduct of doctors is to recommend that “qualified healthcare professionals” should be present to judge whether an examination is being carried out appropriately.

Full article: http://www.sundayherald.com/42832

[BRANDY LPN]

Seems odd to me that there would be any problem with this at all, but that is probally becase we are just so used to this in the US.

[mattsmom81]

Actually I know many OB GYN's who as policy ask their female nurses to chaperone pelvic exams now. It puts a stop to the occasional claim of improper behavior.

Many of my male coworkers request I do ( or assist them with) their intimate cares on their female patients for the same reason, and I understand why. Too many people out there looking for a lawsuit unfortunately, and a claim of improper conduct can ruin a career.

[Nurse Ratched]

Seems like the objection is to the idea that a *nurse* should have to be the chaperone - in my workplace we use NA's or nurses in that role - whoever the handiest female happens to be. They are saying it takes a qualified health care professional to determine that parts of the exam are indicated versus gratuitous?

[obeyacts2]

I dont understand why any male with an ounce of sense would have a problem with a chaperone. Gee, all it takes is some suehappy idiot to make an accusation and if word gets out the doc could be labeled a pervert, true or not.

[chris_at_lucas_RN]

One wonders if the issue is "nurse" and not "chaperone."

And how is "nurse" defined? CNA's are nursing staff...

Oh! And here's another thought, are those nurses to be of the same gender as the patient, per the proposed rules?

I'm with Brandy though--doesn't seem like such a big deal to me, probably because it's odder not to have a chaperone than to have one.

(As a patient, I prefer it, personally.)

[Farkinott]

It just makes good sense really that if you are dealing in an intimate nature that you protect yourself by having a person of the same sex in the room. I suggest it for females dealing with intmate exams with males too.
Having worked in indigenous communities it is easier I guess to segregate men's and women's business.

[hipab4hands]

[quote=brian]DOCTORS will be forced to use nurse chaperones during intimate examinations under plans being considered by ministers.

An independent inquiry into the conduct of doctors is to recommend that “qualified healthcare professionals” should be present to judge whether an examination is being carried out appropriately.

The doctor's offices and medical clinics I've worked for have had this policy for years--even when it was non-ob gyn related. It's keeps the patient from behaving imappropriately too. i.e. our "problem" patient , who practiced nudism, and insisted on stripping down to no clothes, for any type of office visit.

[SmilingBluEyes]

most nurses are way too busy to chaperone, on top of other duties. I imagine anyone can chaparone a doctor, can't they, if they are employed there????

[hipab4hands]

Originally Posted by SmilingBluEyes

most nurses are way too busy to chaperone, on top of other duties. I imagine anyone can chaparone a doctor, can't they, if they are employed there????

The clinics and dr.'s offices I worked in always made sure that there was enough staff available, so that 1 person could.] be in the room with the dr. Most of the time it was a RN, other times it was a medical assistant .