Use of medical chaperones by colon and rectal surgeons in outpatient practice

Dore, Fiona J.; Hill, Susanna S.; Sturrock, Paul R.; Maykel, Justin A.; Alavi, Karim; Davids, Jennifer S.

doi:10.1007/s00464-021-08591-y

Cited by 2 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…One of the barriers to universal chaperone use is scarcity of available personnel, which makes it difficult to have chaperones present for every sensitive examination. 4 , 5 , 8 , 13 , 14 For instance, Cuccolo et al indicated that 74.7% of surveyed clinicians did not use chaperones due to limited availability. Another commonly cited barrier is the financial implications of hiring a chaperone.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Financial Considerations of Employing a Dedicated Chaperone in Clinical Practice

2022

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Introduction: Medical associations and medicolegal bodies are urging for increased chaperone use by physicians during intimate physical examinations in clinical practice (such as breast or pelvic examinations). However, widespread chaperone use is limited by factors such as staff availability and financial considerations. Presently, there is a scarcity of information available regarding the cost of hiring a dedicated chaperone. This study investigates the cost of hiring a chaperone and its financial implications for a physician's clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Using data from the Government of Canada website, the range of salary rates for clinic staff who can act as a chaperone in Canada was analyzed. The cost of hiring a chaperone was estimated to be in the range between the cost of hiring a minimum-wage worker and a nurse (the highest-paid hired medical office staff). Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as Plastic Surgery urban community practices were consulted regarding the costs of operating a clinic. Results: The approximate annual income for a minimum-wage worker in Canada is $29,250 CAD. Registered nurses earn on average $72,783.75 CAD per year. The cost of operating a private clinic practice with one staff member in Canada is on average $102,500 CAD per year. Thus, hiring an additional full-time chaperone could increase clinic expenses by approximately 49% per year, bringing the clinic cost to approximately $153,517 CAD per year. For part-time employment, the annual cost of hiring a chaperone is approximately $10,203 CAD for each day/week of employment. Conclusion: In terms of financial considerations, hiring a chaperone can increase clinic expenses by approximately one-and-a-half times. The findings of this study provide an important reference for physicians and may assist with the decision to employ chaperones in clinical practice.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another commonly cited barrier is the financial implications of hiring a chaperone. 8 , 14 , 15 To mitigate the cost, physicians may rely on nonmedical employees such as receptionists to act as chaperones 6 , 10 ; however, their availability may be limited by their other office responsibilities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Financial Considerations of Employing a Dedicated Chaperone in Clinical Practice

2022

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“…Medicolegal concerns reported by the same group included inconsistent documentation of chaperone presence; it was actually missing in 42% of cases. 6 Such documentation, including a signed record of chaperone presence and/or encounter intervention, can be critical for referencing past visits. Past analyses have called for improved chaperone availability, use, and documentation; in this viewpoint, we propose actionable perspectives on commonly re-ported barriers to optimize viability and effectiveness of chaperoning for patients and clinicians in the context of sensitive examinations in the clinical dermatology environment.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Though professional societies generally support chaperoning, there are practical implementation challenges, largely economic and medicolegal. From an economic perspective, in a study of outpatient colorectal surgeons also conducting sensitive examinations and procedures, it was reported that chaperone availability, time constraints, and costs presented barriers to adoption of chaperone use. Medicolegal concerns reported by the same group included inconsistent documentation of chaperone presence; it was actually missing in 42% of cases .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From an economic perspective, in a study of outpatient colorectal surgeons also conducting sensitive examinations and procedures, it was reported that chaperone availability, time constraints, and costs presented barriers to adoption of chaperone use. Medicolegal concerns reported by the same group included inconsistent documentation of chaperone presence; it was actually missing in 42% of cases . Such documentation, including a signed record of chaperone presence and/or encounter intervention, can be critical for referencing past visits.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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