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- Title
You Can't Touch ... or Can You? Dietitians' Perceptions of Expressive Touch in Client Encounters.
- Authors
GREEN, CARA; VANDALL-WALKER, VIRGINIA; RYSDALE, LEE; STEVENS, MICHELLE; FELDMANN, HEATHER; TYMURA, STACEY; STOJKOVIC, KELSEY
- Abstract
Purpose: We explored Registered Dietitians' (RDs') perceptions about expressive touch (ET) as a means to provide client-centred care, a practice unreported to date. For this study, ET is defined as relatively spontaneous, responsive, and affective contact by dietitians. Methods: This exploratory study used an explanatory sequential mixedmethods approach. RDs in Northern Ontario were surveyed (54% response, n = 135) and these results were further explored in interviews with a subset of participants (n = 17). Analysis included descriptive and association statistics and qualitative description. Results: Most RDs considered ET a useful tool for effective client communication (66%-77%), yet they were hesitant to enact the practice (81%). Analysis of interviews revealed ET to be "situationally beneficial" with uptake influenced by an interplay of factors, described as: perceived client openness to touch, the environment, and RD comfort with touch. Greater uptake was reported among RDs working with distressed clients and clients in ambulatory clinics and long-term care. ET practice was limited by personal safety concerns, unknown client customs, and client misinterpretation. Conclusion: ET was valued by many RDs as an enhancement to clientcentred care. Selective use of ET is influenced by the context of dietetic practice and by perceived client and RD comfort with the use of ET.
- Subjects
ONTARIO; CHI-squared test; CLINICS; STATISTICAL correlation; FISHER exact test; HEALTH facilities; INTERVIEWING; LONG-term health care; RESEARCH methodology; PATIENT-professional relations; PATIENT safety; RESEARCH; SCALE analysis (Psychology); PSYCHOLOGICAL stress; THERAPEUTIC touch; THEMATIC analysis; DATA analysis software; PATIENTS' attitudes; DIETITIANS' attitudes; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; INDEPENDENT variables
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice & Research, 2020, Vol 81, Issue 3, p112
- ISSN
1486-3847
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3148/cjdpr-2020-005