HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by STAGNO, S. J. Articles by BELINSON, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by STAGNO, S. J. Articles by BELINSON, J.

Medical and Osteopathic Boards’ Positions on Chaperones During Gynecologic Examinations

From the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine & School of Law, Cleveland, Ohio, and Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio.

Address reprint requests to: Susan Stagno, MD Department of Psychiatry and Psychology Cleveland Clinic Foundation, P-57 9500 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44195 E-mail: stagnos{at}cesmtp.ccf.org

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether United States medical or osteopathic boards have opinions, position statements, or policies on chaperone use, and whether any state laws regulate chaperone use.

Methods: United States Medical and Osteopathic Boards were surveyed by mail to determine whether policies, opinions, positions, or laws exist regarding use of chaperones during gynecologic examinations. We sent the survey to executives at 67 state boards, identified by a list from The Federation of State Medical Boards. Our main outcome measure was positive response to the survey questions.

Results: Of 67 targeted sites, 61 responded (91%). Fourteen sites (23%) reported having informal or unpublished opinions recommending chaperones. Eleven sites (18%) reported having positions related to chaperones that have been published for their physicians. Four sites (6.5%) reported having policies specifically related to chaperone use. Thirty-two sites (52.5%) reported that they do not have opinions, positions, or policies related to chaperone use. No site reported state laws governing chaperone use.

Conclusion: Response to our survey showed no concensus among state medical boards on the use of chaperones, leaving doctors and patients to decide for themselves whether they want or need chaperones present during gynecologic examinations.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. Rockwell, T. E. Steyer, and M. T. Ruffin IV Chaperone Use by Family Physicians During the Collection of a Pap Smear Ann. Fam. Med, November 1, 2003; 1(4): 218 - 220. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. D. Daniel, S. J. Stagno, H. Forster, and J. Belinson MEDICAL AND OSTEOPATHIC BOARDS' POSITIONS ON CHAPERONES DURING GYNECOLOGIC EXAMINATIONS Obstet. Gynecol., February 1, 2000; 95(2): 317 - 317. [Full Text] [PDF]

				Should Chaperones Be Present During Gynecologic Exams? Journal Watch (General), September 17, 1999; 1999(917): 9 - 9. [Full Text]