Chaperones, Professional Boundaries and the Potential for Misunderstandings

ACP Ethics and Professionalism

All physicians have a duty to uphold the core values of medicine and professionalism in their interactions with patients to preserve the trust foundational to the patient-physician relationship. They must be aware of and avoid interactions that are—or may be perceived as—of a sexual nature. The presence of a chaperone, particularly for intimate examinations, can help avoid misunderstanding and protect both the patient and the physician. 

ACP’s Center for Ethics and Professionalism explores the topic of patient-physician interactions in their latest case study, Chaperones, Professional Boundaries, and the Potential for Misunderstandings.

First, read the case study. After reading, ACP members can take the CME/MOC survey for free.

CME/MOC:

Up to 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits ™ and MOC Points
Expires September 11, 2027   active

Cost:

Free to Members

Format:

Journal Articles

Product:

ACP Ethics and Professionalism

ACP is devoted to policy development and implementation on issues related to medical ethics and professionalism, and is a resource for ACP members and the public.

Authors

Charlene Dewey, MD, Med – Author, Case History, Commentary
Paula Katz – Author, Case History
Lois Snyder Sulmasy, JD - Author, Commentary, Editor

Those named above, unless otherwise indicated, have no relevant financial relationships to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.  All relevant relationships have been mitigated.

Release Date:  September 12, 2024

Expiration Date: September 11, 2027

CME Credit

The American College of Physicians (ACP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The ACP designates this enduring activity for a maximum .25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

MOC Statement

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to .25 medical knowledge MOC point in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

How to Claim CME Credit and MOC Points

After reading the article, complete a brief survey and multiple-choice question quiz. To claim CME credit and MOC points you must achieve a minimum passing score of 100%. You may take the quiz multiple times to achieve a passing score.