- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends providing chaperones during sensitive physical examinations of children and adolescents.
- Chaperones aim to enhance patient comfort, maintain professional boundaries, and reduce misunderstandings.
- Physicians should engage in shared decision-making and document the chaperone's role.
- Patient preferences, vulnerable populations, and strategies for implementing chaperone use are addressed.
- Research shows that many adolescents and caregivers prefer a parent as a chaperone for sensitive exams.
- Special considerations apply to vulnerable populations, including youth in foster care and patients with developmental disabilities.
- For telemedicine visits, remote chaperones or session recordings are recommended.
- Strategies for integrating chaperone use in clinical practice are encouraged.
Source: Pediatrics