PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Rockwell, Pamela
AU  - Steyer, Terrence E.
AU  - Ruffin, Mack T.
TI  - Chaperone Use by Family Physicians During the Collection of a Pap Smear
AID  - 10.1370/afm.69
DP  - 2003 Nov 01
TA  - The Annals of Family Medicine
PG  - 218--220
VI  - 1
IP  - 4
4099  - http://www.annfammed.org/content/1/4/218.short
4100  - http://www.annfammed.org/content/1/4/218.full
SO  - Ann Fam Med2003 Nov 01; 1
AB  - BACKGROUND We wanted to determine whether variations exist in use of a chaperone during the performance of a pelvic examination by family physicians. METHODS A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to 5,000 randomly selected active members of the American Academy of Family Physicians. RESULTS There were 3,551 survey responses (71% response rate) and 2,748 useable questionnaires. Most respondents (75.4%) reported routinely using a chaperone in the room during the collection of a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. Significantly (P < .00001) more male physicians (84.1%) than female physicians (31.4%) reported using a chaperone. Physicians reporting routine use of a chaperone were significantly younger (P = .01) and did fewer Pap smears per month (P < .00001). Regional reporting of chaperone use varied significantly (P < .00001), with 71.6% reporting use in the Northeast, 89.0% in the South, 65.7% in the Midwest, and 72.4% in the West. CONCLUSION Family physicians vary considerably in the reported use of a chaperone during the collection of a Pap smear. The variation could reflect different regional or local norms, efficiency or resource issues in high-volume clinical settings, or other interpersonal factors. These issues need to be explored in more depth.