Chaperones support safe, respectful care

For the last few months, CPSA’s Health & Practice Conditions Monitoring team have been developing a new policy on chaperones. The intention of this policy is to reinforce an important principle: patients and physicians both benefit when clinical encounters are supported by clear expectations, appropriate boundaries and transparent processes.

A chaperone is a trained individual who is present during certain patient encounters, examinations or procedures. They observe the interaction between a physician and their patient, and their presence helps protect and support both parties by enhancing trust and comfort, and reinforcing professionalism in the clinical setting.

Find out more about chaperones here >

For patients, a chaperone can provide reassurance during encounters that may feel sensitive, personal or vulnerable. Their attendance supports dignity, consent, privacy and respectful care throughout a medical appointment.

While in certain cases, chaperones may be required as a condition on a physician’s practice, CPSA encourages all physicians to offer trained chaperones as part of good medical practice, particularly during sensitive examinations.

When a chaperone condition is placed on a practice permit, anyone performing chaperone duties must be approved by CPSA and comply with our Chaperone Policy.

Medical offices should ensure chaperones understand their role and responsibilities, are incorporated into clinic workflows in a way that protects patient privacy and supports patient-centred care, and are appropriately trained. Training is available through MacEwan University and PBI Education.

CPSA’s Chaperone Policy provides direction for physicians and medical offices, and reflects CPSA’s ongoing commitment to patient safety, professionalism and trust in the patient-physician relationship.

Questions? For more information on chaperones and our new policy, or to contact Health & Practice Conditions Monitoring, please email PracticeConditionMonitoring@cpsa.ab.ca.