Should Doctors Hug Patients?

Should Doctors Hug Patients?

I recently read an article from Medscape titled “To Hug Or Not To Hug A Patient: Physicians Differ On The Right Behavior.” The article seems to suggest that in this #metoo and #timesup era physicians need to be more careful about how they interact with patients. Although there were varied responses on the topic, some responders suggested that it was not advisable for physicians to hug patients at all!

One physician responded, “hugging the patient may come back to haunt you. You’re not a mind reader. You don’t know how the patient will react or what the patient thinks about you reaching over and hugging them.”

Another response... “no we should not ever hug patients. It is not an equal relationship and can be misconstrued. Shaking hands, speaking kindly, and spending time are priority. And practicing the lost art of listening.”

After chatting with some colleagues (and my wife) about the topic it seems that most agree that in this day and age it might best for doctors not to hug patients. “Perhaps a hand on the shoulder,” one friend suggested. My wife agreed that some doctor patient relationships can be deeper than others and hugging wasn’t completely out of the norm, but she felt it best for the patient to always initiate the hug-never the doctor. 

And so there is a sadness that I feel about this whole topic. One of the most human aspects of being a physician is the relationship and bond you build with your patient. To me a hug is most often a warm and friendly expression of appreciation between two people. On some days, a hug might just be exactly what a patient or doctor needs.

Author John Joseph Powell said, “It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.”  With or without hugs, the physician-patient relationship should always be considered a place of respect, kindness, and caring.  What are your thoughts? Would a hug from your doctor make you uncomfortable?