In clinical medicine, a chaperone is a person who serves as a witness for both a patient

Patient

A patient is any recipient of healthcare services. The patient is most often ill or injured and in need of treatment by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, veterinarian, or other health care provider....

 and a medical practitioner

Physician

A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...

 as a safeguard for both parties during a medical examination or procedure. The exact responsibilities vary according to the clinical situation.

Chaperones are widely used for gynecological

Gynaecology

Gynaecology or gynecology is the medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive system . Literally, outside medicine, it means "the science of women"...

 and other intimate examination

Intimate examination

An intimate examination is a physical examination for medical purposes that includes examination of female breasts, the genitalia, or the rectum of a patient. Such examinations can cause patients stress or embarrassment...

s. A chaperone may support the patient with reassurance and emotional support during a procedure or examination that the patient may find embarrassing or uncomfortable. The chaperone may also provide practical help to the doctor during an examination or procedure. In other clinical settings the chaperone could protect the doctor from physical attack.

As a witness, the chaperone can help the doctor disprove unfounded allegations having been present during a procedure and witnessed continuing consent.