What should you do if a patient is continuously tapping your shoulder to get attention?

When a patient is continuously tapping your shoulder to get attention, prompting them to use appropriate signals is the best approach. This response encourages the patient to express their needs or desires in a more suitable manner, fostering clearer communication and establishing healthier interaction dynamics. By guiding them toward appropriate behavior, you not only address their immediate need for attention but also help them learn more effective ways to communicate in the future.

Ignoring the patient or continuously responding to the tapping can lead to misunderstandings or reinforce the undesired behavior. Similarly, laughing it off may trivialize the patient's needs and could prevent them from feeling taken seriously. By advocating for appropriate signals, you promote a respectful and constructive dialogue while also helping the patient modify their behavior in a positive way.