To the Editor:

Keeping the Human Touch” by Dr. Frank H. Boehm [April 2003, page 66] is a very timely article that every doctor should read. Many of my patients who have seen another doctor have told me that he or she never touched them. I make it a point to touch each patient, especially in the area of the complaint, even though it might not be necessary to make a diagnosis or initiate treatment. On some occasions, the touch might be the most important element of the encounter.