If you are worried or the patient seems unduly reluctant to be examined, arrange for a chaperone or refer the patient to a colleague. There have been cases where doctors have been accused of inappropriate behaviour by patients of the same sex; if you feel it is necessary, you should use a chaperone.

Do male doctors need chaperones?

Assistance is rarely required in examination of male patients, who generally do not express a need for the support of a chaperone and are likely to feel embarrassed if one is present. Teenagers, however, are probably more apprehensive about genital examination than older patients.