Tips on the Handshake

Dr. Benabio, Chief of Dermatology at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, authored  advice about how to shake hands with patients in the February 2018 issue of Dermatology Times (pages 20, 22). Although his advice is for patient encounters, some of it may also be helpful for creating a good first impression during dermatology interviews:

1. Shake twice (initial introduction and departing). Hand should be slightly upwards when meeting a new patient.
2. Initial handshake should be with left foot forward as you greet
3. Make eye contact for 1-2 seconds before joining hands (web to web) with arm tucked in
4. Grip strength depends, generally 2 pumps is best. Greeting a Marine is different from greeting a frail elderly patient
5. Slight push back of their arm recommended 
6. Let go after 2 pumps

For departing handshakes, the author recommends hand positioning slightly downward so it slightly covers the other person's hand