A recent article by the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that doctors should consider doing away with a formal handshake with patients as it has been shown to transmit harmful pathogens from one person to another.
In the article, researchers discuss the pros and cons of getting rid of the handshake, as well as the historical and social context of the gesture. We delve into the same topics below.
Pros
The most significant benefit of getting rid of the formal handshake is that it limits the spread of pathogens. As a foot surgeon, this is not as much of a concern to me as it may be to a primary care physician who deals with cases of the common cold, step throat and pink eye on a regular basis. Also, I make it a constant habit to wash my hands before, after and sometimes during patient appointments. You can never be too careful when it comes to limiting the spread of harmful bacteria.
Another point researchers raised is that it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve moved away from a cultural and societal norm. They note how smoking laws have changed over the last half century. 50 years ago, you could smoke in a bar, on an airplane, or in your college lecture hall. Today, smoking has been banned in many public places, and as we documented in a recent blog post, millions of lives have been saved as a direct result of the anti-smoking campaign. Researchers believe that if the handshake ban in a clinical setting is presented as a way to keep people healthier, slowly but surely the movement will grow.
Cons
The problem with the handshake ban is that many doctors aren’t on board with the idea. In a Medscape poll, 52 percent of readers said they would not stop shaking hands with their doctors/patients, 32 percent said they would stop shaking hands, while 14 percent remained undecided. But if it can cut down on the spread of pathogens, why are the majority of doctors against the idea?
Researchers suppose that doctors are against the ban for a multitude of reasons, but the top reason being that a handshake in a clinical setting represents more than a simple greeting. Research on handshakes has shown that a handshake between a doctor and patient can convey:
- Empathy
- Compassion
- Comfort
- Calmness
- Respect/Importance
Doctors know that keeping a patient in a good mental state is very important to the success of their operation and rehabilitation. By conveying a sense of compassion and calmness, doctors can help take some of the fear out of an upcoming operation. It appears that doctors would rather help develop a connection with a patient rather than worry about spreading germs, especially if the latter problem can be solved with a quick 30-second rinse.
Fist Bump Next?
The article also listed some other possible greetings that would prevent the spread of pathogens, one of which being the “fist bump.” Although a study showed that cross-contamination was less likely with a fist bump than a handshake, don’t expect to be bumping knuckles with your physician on your next visit. Other possible greetings listed included the:
- Hand wave
- Hand over heart
- Bow
- Namaste gesture
- Elbow touch
Medscape also polled their readers on what alternate form of introduction would they use when greeting their physician/patient. 49 percent said they would not use an alternate gesture, followed by hand wave (18 percent) and hand over heart (12 percent).
Now we want to pose the same questions to you. Would you stop shaking hands with your doctor/patient to stop the spread of germs, and what alternate technique would you use? Let us know in the comments section!