1. Preamble

1.1 The Australian Medical Association believes that medical practitioners have a duty to act in an ethical, professional and considerate manner at all times towards patients, and that communication is integral to the doctor/patient relationship. Whilst some procedures or examinations may be a simple or routine matter for the medical practitioner, they may not be seen as such by the patient.

1.2 In order to prevent misunderstandings between doctors and patients the AMA has endorsed the following guidelines:

2. Physical Examination

2.1 The medical practitioner (and indeed all health care workers) should examine the patient in privacy.

2.2 The medical practitioner should provide a sheet, a gown or some other garment to preserve modesty where it is appropriate.

2.3 The patient's modesty should be preserved in undressing and redressing before and after the physical examination. Examples of how this modesty should be preserved are:

• The provision of a screen behind which the patient can undress.
• The medical practitioner excusing himself/herself from the consulting room whilst the patient is undressing.
• The medical practitioner turning away while the patient is disrobing.
• The medical practitioner should consider whether the presence of a third person is required.

3. Explanation to the Patient

3.1 The medical practitioner should explain what part(s) of the body is/are to be examined, why it is to be examined, and what the examination entails prior to the physical examination commencing.

3.2 Similarly, the position of the medical practitioner during the examination should be explained (this is particularly so when the practitioner is standing behind the patient).

3.3 The medical practitioner should explain the extent to which disrobing is required, and the reason again prior to the examination commencing.

Based on Guidelines developed by the AMA (WA Branch) and the Health Consumers Council of WA.