Explanation

Explain the procedure to your patient. Always let your patient know what is going to happen and ask permission to touch him/her. If helpful for the palpation, request that he/she remove specific clothing. Touching someone or removing an article of clothing may involve cultural or personal issues for some people.

If the patient did not give permission for you to touch him/her or to do some procedure, you always respect this. The request to touch may not be necessary for palpation of sequential structures, unless there is some difference in clothing removal or sensitivity to the body area. The examiner alerts the patient to the next area where palpation is planned.

Use terminology that will be universally understood.

In the right context, touch, feel, and palpate can mean the same thing. In some instances, "feel" may be too personal and could be misinterpreted and "feel around" is even more likely to be misinterpreted. The word "palpate" may be too technical. The words "touch" or "place my hands on" are less likely to be misinterpreted.

Avoid anatomical terms in general when in discussion with a patient unless the words are understood or explained.

Position your patient appropriately. Palpate with the patient positioned for maximal ease of palpation, maximal exposure of the structure and where you can observe the palpation best.

Drape the patient appropriately.

Stabilize as needed.

Use gestures when possible to simplify and shorten instructions. Minimize the number of words used.
Example: "Emma, please move your arm like this" (demonstrate).

Introduce yourself
Establish how the patient would like to be addressed.
Explain the process
- (Patient's name), to understand the reason for your shoulder pain (or other relevant reason), it would help me to touch (put my hands on) (body area). At the same time, as the examiner, touch that body area on yourself as a demonstration. Ask the patient "is this OK with you?"
Whenever possible, palpate directly on the skin. Avoid poking - use gentle and gradually increasing pressure if needed.

Specific example of one of several acceptable explanations on a patient's first visit:

Mrs. Jones, how would you like to be addressed? OR
How would you like to addressed?
"Emma would be fine"
Emma, to understand what is causing the pain in your arm, it would help me to touch this area around your shoulder (and you are touching this area on yourself at the same time). Is this OK with you?
"Yes"
Your shirt is covering that area. Would you be willing to put on a gown so I could touch the area where your pain is??
"Yes"
If so, please remove your outer shirt, leave your bra on, and leave this left arm outside of the gown. If you need help with the tie on the gown, I can assist you. I will wait outside this room. On the next visit, would you please bring or wear a halter top?

Did you wear the halter top today? If so, would you be willing to remove your outer shirt?

Examples of possible wording related to touching different areas of the body:

For palpation of the upper body on men: Would you be willing to remove your shirt?
For palpation of the upper body on women: Would you be willing to remove your outer shirt or would you be willing to put on a gown? (For the shoulder area, one upper limb can be positioned outside of the gown.)
For palpation of an area under a woman's halter top: May I place my fingers on the top of your shoulder and under the strap area of your halter? (Demonstrate the location by touching the top of your shoulder.)
For palpation of the pelvic / hip area: To assess your problems in hip area, may I place my hand on the outer area of your thigh and on skin in that area? (While you say this, demonstrate on yourself where you will be touching).

Explanation of the Palpation Procedure to a Patient/Client