[beverlybdmd]

I think that since most of us have a skin disease, so that we have probably noticed this MORE than the general public, but it IS a trend that was becoming MORE & more true, even when I was in training: How often do you go see a doctor--any doctor--and they take a history, but NEVER do ANY sort of actual physical exam? or even touch you?!

Every time I have worked with medical students,or P.A.'s or residents or anyone in training, the advice that I have ALWAYS given:

1) Make eye contact while they are answering your questions and telling you their problems, so that they KNOW you are listening and have heard them.

2) Touch your patients and examine where-ever they say they have problems--EVEN if you already know for SURE what is wrong. (Their sister has a positive culture for strep throat, and their throat hurts. You may just find a fish bone.) BEFORE you tell them what you think. Just being touched by a physician is part of healing someone and gaining their trust.

IF your doctors aren't doing this, then they are too busy; and they are forgetting about the essential healing relationship of how a physician & patient works together. Touching someone takes less than 5 minutes at MOST, and may be essential.