Views of child psychiatrists on physical contact with patients.
The appropriateness and therapeutic value of physical contact with children is under increasing scrutiny. We conducted a postal questionnaire and telephone survey of consultant child and adolescent psychiatrists within Great Britain to investigate attitudes of specialists towards physical contact with their patients in different clinical contexts. Here we report that psychiatrists tend to restrict physical contact to the minimum essential for patient comfort or safety. Decision-making about contact is primarily influenced by professional experience and training. This conservative approach to physical contact with patients has implications for clinical practice and requires to be better informed by evidence.
Blower
Aileen
A
Section of Psychological Medicine, University of Glasgow, Caledonia House, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow G3 8SJ, UK.
Lander
Roddy
R
Crawford
Anna
A
Elliot
Ruth
R
McNulty
Clare
C
Holmes
Christopher
C
Srireddy
Pavan
P
Mulcahy
Michelle
M
Minnis
Helen
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002665:Child Psychiatry / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014110:Touch; D006113:United Kingdom