title: Never underestimate the importance of hand holding.
abstract: During a shift on a ward, it is easy to get overwhelmed with paperwork, checklists and practices such as infection control. These exist to keep patients and staff safe, but sometimes patients just need human contact to take them through what can be a traumatic time.
authors.affiliation: Anglia Ruskin University.
authors.forename: Georgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: O'Reilly-Foley
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D014110:Touch; D006113:United Kingdom