An intimate examination is a physical examination

Physical examination

Physical examination or clinical examination is the process by which a doctor investigates the body of a patient for signs of disease. It generally follows the taking of the medical history — an account of the symptoms as experienced by the patient...

 for medical purposes that includes examination of female breast

Breast

The breast is the upper ventral region of the torso of a primate, in left and right sides, which in a female contains the mammary gland that secretes milk used to feed infants.Both men and women develop breasts from the same embryological tissues...

s, the genitalia, or the rectum

Rectum

The rectum is the final straight portion of the large intestine in some mammals, and the gut in others, terminating in the anus. The human rectum is about 12 cm long...

 of 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....

. Such examinations can cause patients stress or embarrassment. Hospitals therefore employ strict policies relating to the provision of consent by the patient, the availability of chaperone

Chaperone (clinical)

In clinical medicine, a chaperone is a person who serves as a witness for both a patient and a medical practitioner as a safeguard for both parties during a medical examination or procedure. The exact responsibilities vary according to the clinical situation....

s at the examination, and the absence of other parties.

See also

• Breast examination
• Pelvic examination
  Pelvic examination
  A pelvic examination, also pelvic exam, is a physical examination of the female pelvic organs.Broadly, it can be divided into the external examination and internal examination.It is also called "Bimanual Exam" & "Manual Uterine Palpation"....
  
  
• Rectal examination
  Rectal examination
  A rectal examination or rectal exam is an internal examination of the rectum such as by a physician or other healthcare professional.-Procedure:...
  
  
• Vaginal examination
• Body cavity search
  Body cavity search
  A body cavity search is either a visual search or a manual internal inspection of body cavities such as for prohibited material , such as illegal drugs, money, jewelry, or weapons...
  
  
• Reproductive health
  Reproductive health
  Within the framework of the World Health Organization's definition of health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, reproductive health, or sexual health/hygiene, addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system...
  
  
• Sexual health clinic
  Sexual health clinic
  Sexual health clinics specialize in the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.Sexual health clinics provide only some reproductive health services...