Psychological
Another therapeutic use of humor in the healing process involves the psychological effects of the person. Several studies have shown that people involved in the healing process can obtain positive psychological results from humor. One such study states, that laughing may help the pain by distracting a persons attention from it by reducing stress and changing clients expectations (Rosner, 2002). Other authors have found that humor does not make a person live longer, however individuals with a greater sense of humor report less symptoms of illnesses and medical problems hence their view on their quality of life is enhanced (Martin, 2002). One article demonstrates from a patient’s perspective, the positive effects that humor had on their psychological well being while healing from cancer. Shlien and Wachs (2000) stated that instead of using denial as a coping method to deal with cancer they used humor. They state that the use of humor throughout their healing process allowed them to endure their most difficult and trying times. It has been found that laughter does not cure the illness but helps the patient to cope with the suffering by changing their state of mind at problematic times while enabling the patient to feel at ease. Laughter has also been shown to be an effective tool for emotional support (Rosner, 2002).
Communication
The therapeutic use of humor in the healing process can also be effective within the communication between a patient and their health care professional. The ability to laugh with patients can demonstrate a sign of good rapport between the health care professional and patient. Through the use of humor, patients have stated that they are more effectively able to communicate their discomfort with the care they receive, their frustration involving their health and other things associated with their illness (Bennet, 2003). During a personal interview (See Appendix A) with a man who has been a nurse for 40 years, Glenford Kelly (personal communication, February 3, 2005) stated that the use of humor in communication can “ help me in my work as a nurse because it allows me to connect with the patients. It helps them to see that they can talk with me, that I’m human too, that I can laugh with them and help them to see other things besides their pain”. One study looked at two groups of physicians: one group had previously been involved in malpractice lawsuits while the other group had never been involved in that type of lawsuit. The study was attempting to find the difference in practice amongst the two groups. The research found that the doctors who had never been involved in malpractice had practiced their profession in three different specific areas then the doctors who had been sued. The three areas were: time spent with clients, use of facilitative statements and frequent use of humor and laughter (Bennet, 2003). In another article written by Rosner (2002), it was stated, “laughter is important in medicine and may enhance conversation between physician and patient. Mutual understanding between patient and doctor when they smile at each other may be more important than the diagnosis of formal treatment” (p.434).
Conclusion
Humor and laughter as a therapeutic tool within the process of healing appears to be a beneficial to health care professionals and their patients. The positive impacts of humor on a patient’s physiological and psychological well-being, as well as, the improved communication between their health care professionals, is a less threatening, non intrusive manner in which patients and professional may be better enabled to cope with the difficult process of healing.
References
Bennet, H. J. (2003). Humor in medicine. Southern Medical Journal, 96 (12), 1257.
Kelly, G. (2005) Personal interview on telephone.
Martin, R.A. (2002). Is laughter the best medicine? Humor, laughter and physical health. Current
directions in psychological science, 11(6), 216.
Rosner, F. (2002). Therapeutic efficacy of laughter in medicine. Journal of Cancer Investigation,
20 (3), p.434.
Shlien, R. & Wachs, A. (2000). Knock knock. Who’s there? Cancer! Journal of Psychology
Today, 33 (5), p.30.
Biblography
Terney, W.M., (1998). Laughter and balance: A letter to a junior resident. Journal of General
Internal Medicine, 13 (4).
Godfrey, J.R., (2004). Toward optimal health: The experts discuss therapeutic humor. Journal of
women’s health, 13 (5).
Appendix A
Questions
Humor’s role in health care profession
- How does humor help you in your job?
Humor helps me in my work as a nurse because it allows me to connect with the patients. It helps them to see that they can talk with me, that I’m human to, that I can laugh with them and help them to see other things besides their pain.
- Does the use of humor help you to deal with your patients better?
Yes, I think so, it, like I said helps me to connect to the patients. It allows us to have other interactions aside from medical stuff or giving them medical advice. It lets us just be people talking, laughing and enjoying our company and conversations.
- Does humor help with communication for both patients and staff?
Yes, it let us not think about people dieing around us all the time. Being a nurse is stressful in the sense that you are responsible for people’s well being while they are in your care. It is hard to see people sick all the time so with humor you can let some of the bad feelings associated with people’s sickness out of you. Then you don’t have to keep everything inside and take it home with you.
- What physiological and psychological effects have you seen in patients when using humor?
Well, people don’t get fixated on their problems when they are laughing and joking. They don’t seem to be in so much pain when they have someone to laugh with and look at the brighter things in their life. Sometimes that depends on what they are experiencing though. I think that people being happy is good for their moods and I have heard that their immunity can be boosted through laughter and humor.
