In clinical medicine, a chaperone is a person who serves as a witness for both a
patient
A patient is any recipient of health care services that are performed by healthcare professionals. The patient is most often ill or injured and in need of treatment by a physician, nurse, optometrist, dentist, veterinarian, or other hea ...
and a
medical practitioner as a safeguard for both parties during a medical examination or procedure. The exact responsibilities vary according to the clinical situation.
Chaperones are widely used for
gynecological
Gynaecology or gynecology (see spelling differences) is the area of medicine that involves the treatment of women's diseases, especially those of the reproductive organs. It is often paired with the field of obstetrics, forming the combined are ...
and other
intimate examination
A well-woman examination is an exam offered to women to review elements of their reproductive health. The exam includes a breast examination, a pelvic examination and a Pap smear but may also include other procedures. Hospitals employ strict poli ...
s. A chaperone may support the patient with reassurance and emotional support during a procedure or examination that the patient may find embarrassing or uncomfortable. The chaperone may also provide practical help to the doctor during an examination or procedure. In other clinical settings the chaperone could protect the doctor from physical attack.
As a witness, the chaperone can help the doctor disprove unfounded allegations having been present during a procedure and witnessed continuing consent. A chaperone should not be someone with a close connection to either the doctor or the patient, such as a family member.
References
* {{cite book , last=Stark , first=M.M. , title=Clinical Forensic Medicine: A Physician's Guide , publisher=Springer International Publishing , year=2020 , isbn=978-3-030-29462-5 , url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b5PHDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA72 , access-date=2021-07-11
Health care occupations