Does using humor to cope with stress justify making fun of patients?
Title
Does using humor to cope with stress justify making fun of patients?
Creator
Aultman JM; Meyers E
Publisher
American Medical Association Journal of Ethics
Date
2020
2020-07-01
Description
This article considers 3 reasons for derogatory humor in clinical settings and argues that when such humor is directed at patients without understanding their complex histories, it can diminish the therapeutic relationship rather than serve as a coping strategy. This article also investigates how narrative medicine can guide deeper understanding of the motivations for using humor in clinical settings, why humor is directed at a particular person or group, and why derogatory, cynical, or dark humor might be unethical and unprofessional. Colleagues and mentors are essential for guiding students' and trainees' professional development and for helping them cultivate coping strategies that do not cause harm.
Identifier
Rights
Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Format
journalArticle
URL Address
Search for Full-text
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Pages
E576-582
Issue
7
Volume
22
ISSN
2376-6980
NEOMED College
NEOMED College of Medicine
NEOMED Department
Department of Family & Community Medicine
NEOMED Student Publications
Update Year & Number
August 2020 List
Citation
Aultman JM; Meyers E, “Does using humor to cope with stress justify making fun of patients?,” NEOMED Bibliography Database, accessed April 24, 2024, https://neomed.omeka.net/items/show/11242.