Consent in the Exam Room

Consent in the Exam Room
Jennifer Mendillo Keller
The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 26 March 2019
Introduction
Explicitly obtaining consent from a patient prior to starting a sensitive physical exam is essential to improve their experience with intimate examinations such as the genitourinary exam.
Aim
The purpose of this article is to raise awareness among providers about how and why to obtain consent for intimate examinations.
Methods
The current literature on consent was reviewed and the opinion piece was created using current events and literature.
Outcome measures
None.
Results
Providers have a responsibility to consent patients for a sensitive exam.
Conclusion
Explicitly obtaining consent from a patient prior to starting a sensitive physical exam such as a genitourinary exam is essential to improve the patient experience with such exams.