Medical and osteopathic boards' positions on chaperones during gynecologic examinations

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.

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.

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 Fourteen sites (23%) reported having informal or unpublished opinions recommending chaperones.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.

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.