Synopsis
Plan and perform intimate care through valid, specific consent, supported decision-making, an appropriate chaperone and trauma-informed choices that preserve dignity, control and diagnostic safety.
- Consent is an ongoing conversation, not a signature: explain the clinical question, what each step involves, expected benefits, material risks, reasonable alternatives and what may remain uncertain.
- Seek agreement separately for inspection, speculum examination, bimanual examination, swabs, photography, student presence and any additional procedure; previous attendance does not imply consent today.
- Tell the patient they can pause or stop at any point, agree a clear signal, expose only the area required and narrate actions only to the level they prefer.
Key red flags
A request to stop, freezing, dissociation, panic, escalating pain or withdrawal of consent requires an immediate pause and renewed agreement before any continuation.
Freezing, dissociation, flinching, silence after active engagement or gripping the couch can signal distress; pause and ask rather than interpreting stillness as consent.
Investigation priorities
Establish informed, voluntary agreement for each proposed examination or procedure.
Management branches
An intimate examination is being considered in any care setting.
- Confirm the examination is necessary now, explain its purpose, steps, material risks and reasonable alternatives, and address communication, analgesia and pregnancy context.
- Offer a trained chaperone, ask about support and trauma-informed preferences, provide privacy to undress and agree how the patient will pause or stop.