Frequently Asked Questions

1. Chaperones are considered best practice to offer, but not legally required.
The position statement was developed to help guide clinicians on offering chaperones during sensitive examinations (like internal pelvic exams) as part of trauma-informed, patient-centered practice — but it is not a legal mandate or binding standard of care on its own.

2. Always offer the option of a chaperone to the patient.
Patients should be given the choice to have a chaperone present for sensitive exams. The clinician should document:

• that the offer was made,

• whether the patient accepted or declined,

• and the name/designation of the chaperone if present.

3. Chaperones can be staff members or a family member/friend.
Although there was debate initially about restricting this to healthcare team members only, the revised approach recognizes that patients may choose a trusted person to serve as a chaperone if they prefer.

4. Clinicians should follow applicable state laws and facility policies.
APTA/APHPT guidance defers to state practice acts and institutional risk management policies for specifics on chaperone use, documentation, and consent.

5. Consent and documentation should be part of trauma-informed care.
Patient consent for sensitive exams (external or internal) and chaperone choices should be clearly documented in the medical record.

6. Position statements guide best practices but are not binding legal standards.
The Academy clarifies that position statements like this provide direction but do not, by themselves, establish a legal duty or community standard.

How This Is Applied in Practice

In clinical translation, most pelvic health PT practices:

• Ask every patient before an internal (or sensitive) exam whether they want a chaperone.

• Document the offer and the patient’s choice.

• Provide a trained chaperone if available, or accept a family/friend chaperone when the patient prefers.

• Respect the patient’s comfort and communication preferences throughout the encounter.

Bottom Line

APTA-related guidance supports:
✔ offering a chaperone for sensitive pelvic exams,
✔ documenting consent and patient choice,
✔ using staff or patient-chosen chaperones, and
✔ basing decisions on clinical judgment, state laws, and facility policy —
but it doesn’t mandate a universal chaperone policy by law.

Who can benefit from pelvic therapy? Individuals experiencing pelvic pain, incontinence, or post-surgery conditions can gain significant relief and recovery.

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How long are therapy sessions? Sessions typically last 45 to 60 minutes, allowing enough time for thorough evaluation and treatment.

Is therapy covered by insurance? Many insurance plans provide coverage for pelvic health therapy services; verification with your provider is recommended.