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Humor in medicine

R C Wender1

  • 1Department of Family Medicine, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Primary Care
|March 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Humor in medicine bridges gaps and aids communication. Primary care providers can use humor to enhance the doctor-patient relationship and create a healing environment.

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Humanities
  • Psychology in Medicine
  • Communication in Healthcare

Background:

  • The significance of humor in medical settings is increasingly recognized.
  • Humor serves multiple functions, including reducing interpersonal barriers and facilitating emotional expression.
  • Anxiety and frustration are common in healthcare, and humor can be a coping mechanism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of humor within the doctor-patient dynamic.
  • To provide practical guidance for healthcare providers on integrating humor into patient care.
  • To underscore the value of humor in fostering a therapeutic environment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on humor in medicine.
  • Analysis of humor's functions in patient communication.
  • Exploration of humor's impact on the therapeutic relationship.

Main Results:

  • Humor effectively narrows interpersonal and cultural divides.
  • It aids in conveying sensitive information and managing patient emotions.
  • Interpreting patient humor and utilizing provider humor can improve patient care.

Conclusions:

  • Humor is a valuable tool for enhancing communication and connection in healthcare.
  • Primary care providers should develop skills in both understanding and employing humor.
  • Strategic use of humor can significantly enrich the patient care experience and contribute to a healing environment.

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