The patient–physician relationship is perhaps a singularly unique one with respect to physical contact, given the importance of the physical examination and the physician’s responsibility to understand and connect with the patient as a “person,” and not just a body of anatomy and cellular physiology.
Human touch can be a form of body language not dissimilar to a smile or a head nod—it can convey a sense of understanding and connection. However, depending on the patient, the strength of the mutual patient–physician relationship, and the context of the particular encounter, one must consider the important elements of proper, ethical, and professional physical contact with the patient outside the conduct of the diagnostic physical examination. If one considers the fundamental concept of physician physical contact to be respectful, comforting, and appropriate, these three guidelines can be considered prior to initiating a gesture that involves touching the patient.
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