Maizlin Nick N, Black Stephanie, Ayeni Olubimpe
Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry (NNM), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SB), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Division of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery (OA), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Plast Surg (Oakv). 2024 Aug;32(3):476-480. doi: 10.1177/22925503221128988. Epub 2022 Oct 30.
Medical associations and medicolegal bodies are urging for increased chaperone use by physicians during intimate physical examinations in clinical practice (such as breast or pelvic examinations). However, widespread chaperone use is limited by factors such as staff availability and financial considerations. Presently, there is a scarcity of information available regarding the cost of hiring a dedicated chaperone. This study investigates the cost of hiring a chaperone and its financial implications for a physician's clinical practice. Using data from the Government of Canada website, the range of salary rates for clinic staff who can act as a chaperone in Canada was analyzed. The cost of hiring a chaperone was estimated to be in the range between the cost of hiring a minimum-wage worker and a nurse (the highest-paid hired medical office staff). Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as Plastic Surgery urban community practices were consulted regarding the costs of operating a clinic. The approximate annual income for a minimum-wage worker in Canada is $29,250 CAD. Registered nurses earn on average $72,783.75 CAD per year. The cost of operating a private clinic practice with one staff member in Canada is on average $102,500 CAD per year. Thus, hiring an additional full-time chaperone could increase clinic expenses by approximately 49% per year, bringing the clinic cost to approximately $153,517 CAD per year. For part-time employment, the annual cost of hiring a chaperone is approximately $10,203 CAD for each day/week of employment. In terms of financial considerations, hiring a chaperone can increase clinic expenses by approximately one-and-a-half times. The findings of this study provide an important reference for physicians and may assist with the decision to employ chaperones in clinical practice.
医学协会和法医学机构敦促医生在临床实践中的私密体格检查（如乳房或盆腔检查）中增加陪诊人员的使用。然而，陪诊人员的广泛使用受到人员可用性和财务考量等因素的限制。目前，关于雇佣专职陪诊人员的成本，可获取的信息稀缺。本研究调查了雇佣陪诊人员的成本及其对医生临床实践的财务影响。利用加拿大政府网站的数据，分析了加拿大可担任陪诊人员的诊所工作人员的薪资范围。雇佣陪诊人员的成本估计在雇佣最低工资工人和护士（薪酬最高的雇佣医疗办公室工作人员）的成本之间。就诊所运营成本咨询了妇产科以及整形外科城市社区诊所。加拿大一名最低工资工人的年收入约为29,250加元。注册护士平均年薪为72,783.75加元。在加拿大，运营一家配备一名工作人员的私人诊所，每年平均成本为102,500加元。因此，额外雇佣一名全职陪诊人员每年可能会使诊所费用增加约49%，使诊所成本达到每年约153,517加元。对于兼职雇佣，雇佣陪诊人员的年度成本约为每个工作日/工作周10,203加元。在财务考量方面，雇佣陪诊人员可能会使诊所费用增加约一倍半。本研究结果为医生提供了重要参考，并可能有助于在临床实践中做出雇佣陪诊人员的决策。
