(332) THE USE OF CHAPERONES FOR GENITOURINARY EXAMS: A SURVEY OF SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF MALE REPRODUCTION (SSMR) MEMBERS

Abstract Introduction Medical chaperones have been utilized with increasing frequency in order to provide for patient comfort and for medicolegal protection. This is especially applicable to the field of reproductive and sexual medicine given the need for sensitive examinations for clinical decision making. However, the use of chaperones may be associated with reduced efficiency for providers and may be difficult for patients. Objective Our aim was to evaluate and compare current practice policies of reproductive urologists regarding the use of chaperones for genitourinary examinations as well as provider sentiments regarding chaperone use. Methods An anonymous, web-based 19-question survey was sent via email distribution to Society for the Study of Male Reproduction (SSMR) members. The survey included a standardized set of questions regarding physician demographics, nature of practice, and current practices and policies pertaining to chaperone use. Data were analyzed in a descriptive fashion. Results There were 61 respondents to the survey, the majority of which were male (n = 53, 86.9%) (Table 1). 18 respondents (29.5%) reported that they currently have a chaperone policy at their practice. Of those, 61.1% reported patients have a choice regarding the use of a chaperone as part of the policy. As shown in Table 2, commonly utilized chaperones include medical assistants, nurses, other physicians, and scribes. Respondents varied in terms of ease of finding a chaperone and length of time added to the visit, with 50% reporting that a chaperone added 2 minutes or less to a visit and over 83% reporting it added 5 minutes or less. Of the remaining 43 participants who did not use chaperones, 13 (30.2%) felt that they should adopt a chaperone policy. Conclusions There is wide variation in the current practices of reproductive urologists with respect to utilizing chaperones during genitourinary examinations, and most do not have institutional/practice policies regarding the use of chaperones. Those who do have chaperone policies report differences in terms of who can be a chaperone, the ease of finding a chaperone, and length of time added to the visit. Standardization of chaperone usage across the field of sexual medicine and national guidelines may lead to improved patient-physician experience and efficiency. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Coloplast, Endo Pharma, Fellow, Posterity Health, HIMS, WIN fertility, Haleon.