I have never had a chaperone for a physical exam, no matter the providers sex. I have had chaperones in most of my dermatology skin exams. The first three dermatologists that I went to were male, the last two that I've been to have been female. What's funny/ ironic/ odd, is that the male providers are the only ones to have used a chaperone to examine me. Neither of the female providers have used one.
One of the chaperones was just that. She entered the room, leaned on the door, stared at me, and didn't move until she was no longer needed. Didn't assist the PA in any way, didn't take notes or scribe anything, didn't even speak. What's funny is she was dismissed just before the provider lowered my underwear to inspect my butt. I would have thought that if you're using a chaperone, that would be the part of the exam you want them to witness. That PA was very weird and sketchy however, so that just added to it. I only went to him once.
One doctor had a scribe with him for everything he did. She was always present. She would enter and introduce herself, set the computer on the counter by the door and type everything that happened. She would occasionally turn her head and watch the exam as it all happened.
The third dermatologist had a medical assistant chaperone the exam, but she did exactly that, she assisted the entire appointment. She was the one that called me back, roomed me, and instructed me to undress. She returned with the doctor and scribed the appointment and exam. She took pictures of problem spots and documented everything. She would assist the doctor and myself with positioning, my gown, and draping/ un-draping. She asked myself and the doctor questions during the exam and my doctor would quiz her also. It was always a learning experience for the assistant. Sometimes that was annoying, but usually it was interesting and entertaining. She would see most things the doctor would see (however, from a different perspective) but it didn't feel quite as awkward and embarrassing since she had an actual purpose for being there. This was the doctor I went to for years until he dropped my insurance carrier, so I had multiple repeat assistants for exams and procedures.