Intimate touch

A recent US study(1) examined « patient preferences for how nurses should perform tasks involving intimate touch ». This included touch « that may produce, in patients or caregivers, feelings of discomfort, anxiety, or fear », as well as « any touch that might be misinterpreted as sexual in nature ».

Findings showed that patients wish nurses to :

→ Project a professional image in appearance and communication :

– ask patients how they wish to be addressed ;

– don’t address patients in an overly familiar or childlike manner ;

– speak clearly and avoid slang ;

– listen to patients’ concerns and feedback ;

– don’t use time with patients as an opportunity to complain or focus on your own life.

→ Offer patients choices :

– ask if they can complete intimate tasks themselves ;

– if a patient requires care that involves intimate touch, seek permission first and explain why it’s necessary and what it will involve.

→ Provide touch that’s firm but not rough, unhurried but not so slow that it lingers ;

– look for verbal and non-verbal cues from patients, halting the intimate touch and asking for feedback if you sense discomfort.

→ Ensure privacy :

– expose as little of patients’ bodies as necessary ;

– close doors. Don’t leave a bathroom door open while you busy yourself with other tasks.

Patients’ reactions to male nurses varied : a young boy found female nurses akin to mother figures and was therefore more at ease ; others appreciated the physical strength and professionalism of male nurses.