As a clinician, understanding the dynamics of personal space and proximity will be important as you practice medicine on a daily basis. During every day social encounters, we avoid invading other people’s personal space without permission out of respect so they can maintain their dignity and independence. In a clinical setting, these social dynamics differ and you will be required to work within the patient’s intimate and personal zones. It is important to keep in mind that there is a status difference in regard to interpersonal space. Individuals with high status are more likely to invade personal space, while individuals with lower status usually seek approval before closely approaching people with high status. As a clinician you will have high status, which makes it easier to work within close proximity due to the social norms regarding personal space. Although when a clinician comes into a patient’s intimate or personal zone without asking permission, this may increase the patient’s sense of vulnerability and disempowerment. This issue also relates to touch. Instrumental touch involves touching the patient to give a shot or provide wound care. Expressive touch is used to console or comfort a patient. The use of touch varies by age, gender, and cultural factors. For example, an expressive touch by a nurse during the pre-operative stage is effective for female and not for male patients. A Muslim male patient from a Middle East country may respond differently to expressive touch from a female nurse compared to a male nurse. Therefore, rely on your clinical training to determine the appropriate protocols for personal space when in a hospital room or exam room.