Chaparone for Rectal Exam???

[Bubba]

Just a quick question or something for you to think about.
One of my current attendings has a study that is about to be published concerning have a chaparone in the room when doing a rectal.
Now it is still being reviewed, and not published yet so I guess you will have to take my word on the data but I was just wondering what you all do.

It showed that most male residents, when doing a rectal on a man usually do not get a chaparone but when doing one on a woman, they almost always get a chaparone.
Then it showed that most women residents almost never get a chaparone regardless of the patient being man or woman.

Do you think women residents should get a chaparone when doing a rectal on a male? Should it be a male chaparone? Should women doctors have to hire at least one male nurse in their office just for chaparone purposes?
What about male residents doing rectals on female patients? Should it always be a female chaparone or can it be a male?

I am not trying to offend anyone, just putting the question out there for friendly discussion.
I have my flame-******ant suit on just in case this thread upsets you.

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[DOtobe]

I am a female and I have had a chaperone (either resident or attending) for every rectal I have done so far. And my "chaperones" have been both male and female.

 

[instrumental]

I am a female and I have had a chaperone (either resident or attending) for every rectal I have done so far. And my "chaperones" have been both male and female.

In today's world where we have lawsuits every minute, I think having chaperones everytime is desired. And of course many patients would feel more comfortable if there was someone else in the room. I don't think it really matters whether the chaperone is a male or female. But if time permits and its possible, I would ask the patient whether he/she would feel more comfortable with a male or female chaperone.

 

[minime]

It seems to me that you should only need a chaparone when you see someone of the opposite sex.
I have personally worked with an OBGYN (male) who does not use a chaparone. In 25 years of practice he says he has only had one patient say anything about it, and this patient was mad because she had collections after her. When I rotated with him he would send me in rooms to do breast and pelvic exams with no chaparone, but I did not feel comfortable doing that so I always had one come in. To me it only takes one patient to ruin your credibility. Why take a chance when the procedure is easier with an assistant anyway. His argument was that patients were more open if he was one on one with the patient.
I guess in the end it all depends on how comfortable YOU are. I guess that female patients could acuse me of being inappropriate when auscultating heart sounds, but am I going to have a chaparone for that?

 

[Boomer]

I am a female and I have had a chaperone (either resident or attending) for every rectal I have done so far. And my "chaperones" have been both male and female.

Yes, but you're a med student. Any invasive exam (regardless of the simplicity) should be chaperoned by a resident/attending.

From my standpoint, I'm male, and I don't get chaperones for male rectals, but ALWAYS have a female chaperone for a rectal on a female.

 

[DrMom]

I have always taken a nurse in with me to chaperone.

 

[stomper627]

As a male, I have only taken a chaperone with me when its a female patient. Im pretty sure most male patients would want as few people in the room as possible. I know I do when Im that patient 🙂
stomper

 

[T.A.M]

Plain and simple, having a chaperone, whether it be a nurse, attending, resident, intern or even another med student is never a bad idea- its for your protection, not the patient's.

 

[Bubba]

It seems to me that you should only need a chaparone when you see someone of the opposite sex.

Just to further the conversation:
What if you are a male and the patient is also a male, but the patient is gay?

As a male, I have done rectals on both men and women without a chaparone and have even done pelvic exams without a chaparone.
But I think from now on, I'm having a chaparone no matter what.

 

[sacrament]

Fair enough! But answer me this! What if I'm gay, but I don't realize it, but I'm doing a rectal and then I realize it. Should I ask the patient if he is gay?