All of what you say are true - phlebotomy requires actual skill (try getting blood drawn by a trainee!)<p>But... I grew up absolutely fearing and hating the finger prick thing the pediatrician would use. I remember getting all sorts of other scrapes and cuts that bled and wondering why they hurt so much less than that thing.  From a practical perspective, if I knew a test involved that (rather than an arm draw), I&#x27;d delay and avoid it because of the pain.