to think that doctors shouldn't hug their patients?

[Alameda]

but otherwise I think this one makes a good point although he was probably the one who needed a hug the most in that instance

I've not read the link but my (male) doctor has hugged me, his sat on my bed and held my hand on a difficult day and high fived me on a good day, even kissed my hand with delight one day when a big bit of progress was made. He is like a father and treats all his patients as if they were his family (in a non patronising way). Everyone at the (small) hospital has so much respect and good things to say about him, he is the most amazing doctor and person. Everyone feels the same about him, and you know he really does care. I think it's sad when proffesionals are stopped for natural human responses due to protection when in fact an abuser will abuse no matter the little rules. I know a lady who was the first aided at their school, she said she found it so hard to have a 4 year old crying and not be allowed to hug them or when they have fallen over, are sore and bleeding and can't get their tights/trousers off as its done sticky or their too upset and she's not allowed to help

I wouldn't mind, but then I occasionally hug my clients (I'm a Solicitor).

My clients have to tell me about being gang raped, losing their children, being tortured... The darkest moments of their lives. Often I'm the first person they've told. A hug is the least I can do for them and I hope it shows them that I actually care about them as a person.

Only hugged 1 man though (he hugged me) and one very comedy shoulder bump.

With the posters saying that some people wouldn't want to be touched I think a lot of the time with people you can feel whether they would like that or not, I've known people who give off a vibe which you would never think to give them a hug and then there are other people who you can often feel would like one

I hugged someone the other week. We had just taken her husband into hospital after he'd suffered a cardiac arrest and she'd just been told he had died.
I would like to think that she didn't find it inappropriate.

I wouldn't dream of hugging my patients. I am a pathologist though.

Lol 44s, I love the idea of a hugdar, maybe some people's hugdar needs retuning but aside some clueless people even if its not a conscious thought we probably read body language before doing something like hugging them

Hugging is such a natural human response to for giving and receiving comfort.

I think the vast majority of people are able to read situations well enough for it to be appropriate.

I am not a doctor, but a cancer specialist nurse so see people in that sort of outpatient setting and see people for a long time so get to know them quite well. They are always hugging me! Especially as we are a tertiary centre so eventually send them locally for chemo etc so if they know its probably their last appointment with us they often hug the consultant and I. Often I think it's because they cant find the words to say what they feel and a hug expresses it for them, whether its good or bad news we've given them. I often read on here people calling NHS staff cold or unfeeling, so posts like this make me quite sad really. I would also put my arm around a patients shoulder if they are upset and crying, but tend to sit to the side of them so its not really a full on hug, and then it's usually quite easy to judge by their body language if they are comfortable with it. Never had an emotional patient pull away, which I think says a lot about how humans gain comfort from one another. I am female, but think it would be a real shame if make staff felt unable to offer that to patients when needed.

When i was on the table having ds, shaking and puking while they tried to control the bleeding, The aneasthitist (sp) stroked my hair. I have never, never been more grateful for a bit of human comfort in my entire life.

Ha ha enjoyinglife that made me chuckle. I think your approach is for the best!

My husband is a police officer (999 responder) and he would use a "comforting hand" - his phrase - in some situations. He has taken someones hand if he's had to deliver some very bad news or if someone is in shock at an collision or a near miss. He couldn't imagine having to explain to someone that their loved one has died suddenly and just not offer some kind of touch.

When DD2 was born she was very ill and the consultant looking after her had to explain to me that they didn't think she was going to make it to morning. Less than 24 hours later by some miracle she was stable, and the same man that stood in front of me telling me my baby could die, picked me up in a hug and yelled "she did it!". He was amazing. It felt good to know he'd been right with me, rooting for her. He gave a shit and he showed it.

I think it's nice that doctors, nurses and midwives feel invested enough to be demonstrative. Perhaps there are times it isn't appropriate but when it is it means a lot for them to show it.

Actually, I'd forgotten that DS' consultant put his arm round me a couple of weeks ago when I was having a cry about how shit cancer is.

It was really really nice to be treated like a human being. I felt like he cares what happens to my family.

When my toddler DS2 had an op the anesthetist gave me a quick but huge hug once after they finally got my battling son to sleep ( took some time and every adult in that tiny room took some bruising) and said " Well done mum."

And that hug has not been forgotten and I still think he is wonderful because what is a daily event to him was an unknown horror to me.

Miss. What a lovely story.