Humor and laughter in palliative care: an ethnographic investigation

Humor and laughter are present in most of human interaction. Interactions in health care settings are no exception. Palliative care practitioners know from experience that humor and laughter are common in palliative care despite the seriousness of the care context. Research establishing the significance of humor in care of the dying is limited.

Clinical ethnography conducted in a 30-bed inpatient palliative care unit served as the means of exploring the functions of humor in care of the dying. Clinical ethnography is intended for examination of the human experience of illness or of caregiving in an interpersonal context (Kleinman, 1992). The method emphasizes the subjective experience and the realm of communication and interaction for both patients and caregivers. Data were collected through participant observation, informal interviews with patients and families, and semistructured interviews with members of the health care team.

Humor and laughter were widespread and important in the research setting. An overall attitude of good humor prevailed. Within that atmosphere, humor served myriad functions. Functions were identified in three overarching themes; building relationships, contending with circumstances, and expressing sensibility. Humor among patients, families, and staff most commonly served to build therapeutic relationships, relieve tension, and protect dignity and a sense of worth. Humor was particularly significant in maintaining collegial relationships, managing stressful situations, and maintaining a sense of perspective.

Findings established the significance of humor and laughter as humanizing dimensions of care of the dying and contributes to the volume of research supporting evidence-based practice.