Patient Preferences Regarding Chaperone Use for Sensitive Examinations

Chaperones are often employed during sensitive patient encounters and have been assumed to be mutually beneficial to the patient and provider. The aim of this study is to characterize patient preferences regarding the use of chaperones.

Following Institutional Review Board Approval, a questionnaire designed to evaluate preferences regarding chaperone use from a patient perspective was distributed electronically through the ResearchMatch platform as well as to patients in an outpatient urology clinic. Descriptive statistics were used to assess responder demographics, clinical experiences and preferences. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with a preference for having a chaperone present during health care visits.

A total of 913 individuals completed the survey. Over half (52.9%) reported they would not want a chaperone for any part of a health care visit. Although rectal and genital/pelvic examinations were considered sensitive by 76.3% and 85% of responders, respectively, only 25.4% and 15.7% preferred a chaperone during these encounters. Reasons for not wanting a chaperone included trust in the provider (80%) and comfort with examinations (70.4%). Male responders were less likely to report a preference for a chaperone (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.19-0.39) or consider provider gender as a significant factor in preferring a chaperone (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.09-0.66).

Preference regarding the use of a chaperone is primarily influenced by gender of both the patient and the provider. For sensitive examinations commonly performed in the field of urology, most individuals would not prefer a chaperone be present.