A STUDY IN THE JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE FOUND
THAT A HANDSHAKE "NOT ONLY INCRE ASES THE POSITIVE EFFECT
TOWARD A FAVOR ABLE INTER ACTION, BUT IT ALSO DIMINISHES
THE IMPACT OF A NEGATIVE IMPRESSION."
ACCORDING TO THE researchers, shaking hands prior to social interactions often
can mitigate possible misunderstandings.
Physicians and patients benefit from the communication a handshake fosters,
says Mark Fourre, MD, an emergency physician with Maine-based LincolnHealth.
"With the right connection, it is much easier to gain the information, both verbal
and nonverbal, that leads to the right diagnosis and e€ective treatment," Dr. Fourre
writes in the Boothbay Register. "Without it, nothing goes smoothly."
To prevent the spread of infection from shaking hands, he follows this routine:
"I use foam or gel to disinfect my hands ... . Then, while rubbing my hands together
in plain view, I introduce myself and shake hands while my hands are nearly dry,
again confirming that they have been disinfected. This ritual helps me establish a
therapeutic relationship by showing my patient and their family members that I am
concerned for their safety. It also helps establish a more human connection through
a form of touch that is not only culturally understood in positive ways, but has even
been shown to help build trust and cooperation on a neurological level."
■
BY STEVE BARRETT
Building a Stronger Practice
on a Handshake
1 8P R A C T I C E M A N A G E M E N T
