RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Is it acceptable for medical professionals to kiss paediatric patients?
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 636
OP 637
DO 10.1136/medethics-2016-103442
VO 42
IS 10
A1 Yassar Abdullah S Alamri
YR 2016
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/42/10/636.abstract
AB It is human nature, perhaps more so for doctors and nurses, to comfort children in distress. Unfortunately, however, necessary medical procedures carried out by healthcare providers (eg, venipuncture) can often result in pain and discomfort, which may in turn cause the provider a degree of guilt and distress. Is it ever acceptable to comfort a paediatric patient with a kiss? This essay examines the literature published on this subject reflecting on a recent encounter with a patient.