Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39264577›Full record

SynthesisIrish journal of medical science2024

Chaperone in breast examination: a comprehensive systematic review of patient and clinician perspectives, and documentation.

Kai Qi Ou, Zhen Ning Wong, Zhen Yu Wong

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Irish journal of medical science, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Sustainable quality improvement interventions to ensure adequate physician documentation of chaperone presence in breast clinic: a multicycle clinical audit.International journal for quality in health care : journal of the International Society for Quality in Health Care · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Kai Qi Ou *Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, England, United Kingdom.
Zhen Ning WongManipal University College Malaysia, Jalan Batu Hampar Bukit Baru, Melaka, Malaysia.
Zhen Yu WongQueens Medical Centre, Nottingham, England, United Kingdom. oscarzhenyuwong@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0950-8981

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe General Medical Council (GMC) has made it mandatory to have a chaperone present during intimate examinations, including breast exams, highlighting the importance of medicolegal protection for both patients and clinicians.

aimsThe use of chaperones during breast examinations is logical, especially in an increasingly litigious society. This review aims to summarize current information regarding patients' and clinicians' perspectives on chaperone use in breast examination.

methodsA PRISMA-compliant search was conducted in electronic databases from inception until April 2023 for qualitative literature on patients' and clinicians' perspectives on chaperone use in breast examination. The inclusion criteria focused on studies related to breast examinations, excluding other intimate examinations. An inductive thematic analysis was performed in three domains: physician-associated factors, patient-associated factors, and chaperone documentation.

resultsTen studies were included after screening 939 articles. For breast examination, the presence of male and older surgeons, nurse availability, rural settings, and patients' psychiatric comorbidities increased the likelihood of chaperone use during consultations. Medico-legal concerns were prominent for male physicians, while female physicians highlighted the need for technical support. Logistical issues were a common hindrance. The gender of physicians was important for patients, but there was conflicting evidence regarding patient preferences for chaperones and their purpose. Poor documentation was generally observed despite quality improvement projects.

conclusionThis study emphasizes the vital role of chaperones in clinical practice, urging a precise definition and targeted resolution for implementation challenges. Patient preferences highlight the need for a personalized approach, and increased awareness among healthcare professionals is essential.

Indexed as

Medical ChaperonesDocumentationFemaleHumansMalePhysical ExaminationPhysician-Patient RelationsBreast diseases/diagnosisBreast diseases/surgeryBreast/physical examinationChaperoneDocumentation

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.