The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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Multicenter Study
Touch in primary care consultations: qualitative investigation of doctors' and patients' perceptions.
Good communication skills are integral to successful doctor-patient relationships. Communication may be verbal or non-verbal, and touch is a significant component, which has received little attention in the primary care literature. Touch may be procedural (part of a clinical task) or expressive (contact unrelated to a procedure/examination). ⋯ Expressive touch improves interactions between GPs and patients. Increased educational emphasis on the conscious use of expressive touch would enhance clinical communication and, hence, perhaps patient wellbeing and care.
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Letter Case Reports
Treatment intensification in type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity.