Do patients get grossed out if I touch them with my bare hands?

[greenturtle12]

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I usually do physical exam without gloves, even though most of the residents use gloves, just out of habit. I always sanitize on entry. If there's any open wound or blood, I always wear gloves. I recently did a diabetic foot exam, and I'm wondering if I should have used gloves to make the patient feel more comfortable? He seemed kind of mentally checked out when I was doing the history/exam but idk if that's his personality or if I was making him feel uncomfortable by touching him with my bare hands.

 

[Smurfette]

I usually do physical exam without gloves, even though most of the residents use gloves, just out of habit. I always sanitize on entry. If there's any open wound or blood, I always wear gloves. I recently did a diabetic foot exam, and I'm wondering if I should have used gloves to make the patient feel more comfortable? He seemed kind of mentally checked out when I was doing the history/exam but idk if that's his personality or if I was making him feel uncomfortable by touching him with my bare hands.

Based on my own experience, I think most patients are ok being touched with bare hands so long as you clearly have clean hands. So sanitizing/handwashing before and after is important. Honestly I think most patients aren't afraid of getting something from you as much as wondering if and why you are ok touching their dirty feet or things that put you at risk.

 

[PTPuser]

I'm a Podiatrist. I would not touch my patient's feet with bare hands.