At 00:38 16/09/98 -0400, you wrote:
>Fellow mailbasers:
>
>Over the years I (as I am sure have you) have had reports about the "touch"
>of various colleagues.  "He/She is too rough, too tentative, very firm,
>very gentle etc."  I am faced with having to counsel a colleague who has
>had numerous patient reports about rough handling and instrument usage.
>
>Other than trying to instill patience and advising to "let your instruments
>do their job", is there a method(s) that can be used to "teach" touch?  I
>recognize that this can be a sensitive area and hope that some of my
>distinguished colleagues can provide some guidance.

Interesting post...I remember as a new graduate that I got a few of those
complaints. I think it is a matter of experience. I don't think you can
teach it. I think also, now, I am different with every patient, especially
the ones that I know well (the regulars). Some like a gentle touch with the
instruments, some like you to have a good go...in fact, one fellow isn't
happy with his treatment unless his chronically thick/involuted/fungal
nails are bleeding!! He is convinced that I have not done enough unless
they are!!

Again, it all comes down to experience...my advice would be to give this
Podiatrist your male patients whom like a "not so gentle" treatment and
give him more new patients. If they continue to get the same treatment from
the get-go they will always be happy.

Steve LYnch
>
>Regards,
>
>Andrew.
>
>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Steven R. Lynch, D.Ch. M.A.Pod.A.    
PODIATRIST                               
P.O.Box 846                                
Innisfail, Qld. Australia. 4860       
(07) 4061 6684                         
019 154 082                            
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


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