The ethics of intimate examinations---teaching tomorrow's doctors * Commentary: Respecting the patient's integrity is the key * Commentary: Teaching pelvic examination---putting the patient first

doi:10.1136/bmj.326.7380.97

BMJ 2003;326:97-101 ( 11 January )

Education and debate

The ethics of intimate examinations $---$ teaching tomorrow's doctors

Commentary: Respecting the patient's integrity is the key

Commentary: Teaching pelvic examination $---$ putting the patient first

The ethics of intimate examinations $---$ teaching tomorrow's doctors

Yvette Coldicott, final year medical student ^a, Catherine Pope, lecturer in medical sociology ^b, Clive Roberts, medical clinical dean ^c.

^a University of Bristol Medical School, c/o Centre for Medical Education, Bristol BS2 8DZ, ^b Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Bristol BS8 2PR, ^c University of Bristol Medical School, Centre for Medical Education, Bristol BS2 8DZ

Correspondence to: C Roberts
c.j.c.roberts@bristol.ac.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The teaching of vaginal and rectal examinations poses ethical problems for students and educators, and guidelines exist toprotect patients from unethical practice. Yvette Coldicott andcolleagues report an exploratory survey, whose findings suggestthat best practice is not always followed and that in many casesconsent has not been given for procedures

The ethical integrity of doctors is under fire. Public concern after the Bristol inquiry into paediatric heart surgery,¹the Alder Hey inquiry into organ retention and storage withoutconsent,² and other cases of malpractice has put pressure onthe medical profession and government to ensure that unethicalpractices are challenged and prevented. Alongside this, consumersof health care have higher expectations not only of the standardof services and level of care provided, but also of the mannerin which care is delivered. Patients now actively participatein deciding their care. The legal framework is also changing.. . . [Full text of this article]

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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

A prior notice to the patients entering the examination room helps in informed consent: Janko Kersnik
bmj.com, 10 Jan 2003 [Full text]
teaching pelvic examination - a patients view: Mary Selby
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The value of judgement: David A de Berker
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Rights and responsibilities: Rowan H Harwood
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Balancing appropriate consent and adequate experience: Danny E Tucker
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Mountains out of molehills: Elizabeth H Frayn
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Re: Rights and responsibilities: Ellen Goudsmit
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What next ?: Kadiyali Srivatsa
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What examination is not intimate?: Nikhil C Kaushik
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Guidelines for medical students conducting physical examination: Tony Hope
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Medical Mythology: des Spence
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Victorian Era?: Eva A. Tecoult
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Amazed: Philip Cooles
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A Student's View: Tania C N Elias
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Kant rules - Not OK!: Steven Ford
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