surgblumm Posted May 23, 2018 Author Share Posted May 23, 2018 IThe last two were great answers. You guys are in touch with your feelings and your professional identity and I applaud you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surgblumm Posted May 23, 2018 Author Share Posted May 23, 2018 I am sure that you did the correct thing as this person looked into the face of death and you were one of the people that gave him the gift of a second chance. I have been with trauma patients upon extubation and gently held their arm or hand. I have done the same on CTD patients. I hold the hsnf and diy st the side of every one of my Plastic patients as this gives them security and do the same on extubation In the OR. I don’t hug my liposuction patients, breast patients or tummy tucks, even with a chaperone, proximity and type of examination have a bearing on my decisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nixietink Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 I am in the camp of 99% of the time hugging when the patient initiates. However, there are a few patients I am close with that I feel ok initiating a hug. I will often put my hand on patient's shoulder, though. I have 3 patients who are sisters and they come in all the time. They always say I love you when they leave, and I never really know how to respond to that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmj11 Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 The only lesson I learned from chiropractors (which many of my patients love) is that the patients love them, because they touch them. I have made it a habit of touching my patients whenever the situation invites. "My head is hurting here today," I touch it, rub it and ask, "is that sensitive." I touch their necks, not as treatment (like a masseuse) but to give a sense of empathy. However, I always end each visit with, "Anything else going on in your life?" If they respond, as they often do, "I had breast cancer this year", or they "just found a lump," or "my mother died" or "my son is on drugs," I often give them a hug at the end of the visit and conversation about those things. I try to always hug in a way that would not be mis-interrupted. I give women, and sometimes men, side by side hugs, my arm around their shoulder and a squeeze, rather than any kind of frontal embrace. Same with kids and always with their parent right in front of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surgblumm Posted May 27, 2018 Author Share Posted May 27, 2018 Nicietink- I agree with you with the exception of perhaps asking first. As far as the I love you I would respond that it is a pleasure to have you as a patient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cideous Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 If a patient initiates a hug I absolutely go in. Unless it is a young female and there is no one else in the room. Too much liability there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surgblumm Posted May 28, 2018 Author Share Posted May 28, 2018 Smart Cideous. You hit the major considerations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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