MDLinx examined study data to weigh whether physicians should shake their patients' hands due to the risk of spreading bacteria.
Here are the key details to know:
1. A PNAS study, showed the typical person has over 150 different species of bacteria living on their hands.
2. Typical handwashing doesn't affect the total diversity of bacteria living on people's hands.
3. Patients prefer physicians to shake their hands, but physicians should be wary of non-verbal cues that the patient may not want to be touched.
