Humor in Health Care

According to philosophers of humor, our experiences of “funny” can release nervous tension, express our feelings of superiority over others, or reveal our struggles to assimilate something unexpected. Comedy is the art of creating funny, and studying when and why things are funny is a part of value theory called aesthetics. Like ethics, aesthetics helps us interrogate what we value and what we see as worth the risk to get a benefit from humor. To some, not much is funny about illness and injury. To others, there seems to be a lot to joke about. This tension is the focus of this issue.

Volume 22, Number 7: E571-644 Full Issue PDF
  • From the Editor
    Jul 2020

    Humor in Health Care

    Edward J. Lee
    During medical school, mirroring how resident physicians spoke and behaved became part of a professional induction that even came with a uniform.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E573-575. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.573.
  • Case and Commentary
    Jul 2020

    Does Using Humor to Cope With Stress Justify Making Fun of Patients?

    Julie M. Aultman, PhD and Emily Meyers
    This article considers that benefits of using humor in clinical settings come with risks of diminishing therapeutic capacity in patient-clinician relationships.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E576-582. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.576.
  • Case and Commentary
    Jul 2020

    Are “Other Doctors Are Stupid” Jokes Appropriate?

    Joshua Nagler, MD, MHPEd and Rebekah Mannix, MD, MPH
    Humor can help motivate positive interactions amidst fast-paced clinical encounters but can alienate colleagues when weaponized to promote assumed superiority of an individual or group.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E583-587. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.583.
  • Medical Education
    Jul 2020

    How to Use Humor in Clinical Settings

    Paul Osincup
    Humor and laughter researchers at the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (yep, that’s a thing) not only study why humor helps, but also how it can be skillfully applied.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E588-595. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.588.
  • Health Law
    Jul 2020

    Could Humor in Health Care Become Malpractice?

    Scott J. Schweikart, JD, MBE
    Traditional causes of action involving the use of humor are breach of contract, defamation, trademark infringement, harassment or hostile work environment, and intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E596-601. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.596.
  • State of the Art and Science
    Jul 2020

    The Science of Comedy (Sort of)

    Anne Libera
    Humor studies have traditionally lived in the rather unfunny world of philosophy departments. Thankfully, psychologists and neuroscientists study mechanisms of humor and laughter, too.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E602-607. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.602.
  • Medicine and Society
    Jul 2020

    Responding to Callous Humor in Health Care

    Nicole M. Piemonte, PhD and Shawn Abreu, MD
    Because it affects collegiality, training, and patient care, callous humor should not be tolerated, especially when directed at patients.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E608-614. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.608.
  • Medicine and Society
    Jul 2020

    Virtuous Humor in Health Care

    René T. Proyer, PhD and Frank A. Rodden, MD, PhD, MS
    A recent model categorizes comic styles that can help us examine whether and when humor is a virtue in health care professionalism.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E615-618. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.615.
  • Medicine and Society
    Jul 2020

    Improvised Caregiving or How a Famous Comedy Theatre Found Itself in Health Care

    Kelly Leonard and Anne Libera
    The Second City collaborates with health care organizations to help clinicians navigate uncertainties of health care work. Insights and exercises are offered here that readers can use with their teams and students.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E619-623. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.619.
  • Art of Medicine
    Jul 2020

    Should We Be Laughing More in Art Museums and Hospitals?

    Fawn Ring
    When we approach art with awe and treat medicine as serious business, perhaps we’re depriving ourselves of the funniest tool in the health and wellness toolbox.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E624-627. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.624.
  • Art of Medicine
    Jul 2020

    Imposter Syndrome

    Rebecca S. Kimyon, MD
    A self-portrait in bold colors depicts an experience of imposterhood in medicine.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E628-629. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.628.
  • Art of Medicine
    Jul 2020

    Equilibrium

    Stephanie Cohen, MD
    A drawing explores equilibrium through music, medicine, and art.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E630-631. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.630.
  • Art of Medicine
    Jul 2020

    Enough Is Enough

    Hwa-Pyung (David) Lim, MS
    In this cartoon, a guilt-ridden, heavily scarred surgeon prepares to atone for his team’s failed attempts to save an innocent child victim of a mass shooting.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E632-635. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.632.
  • Art of Medicine
    Jul 2020

    Game-Based Medicine

    Abey Kozhimannil Thomas, MD
    This humorous take on experts’ disagreement about the care of a patient suggests how not to proceed.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E636-638. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.636.
  • Letter to the Editor
    Jul 2020

    Response to “A Deliberate Public Policy Plus Naivety at Best”

    Stella Aguinaga Bialous, DrPH and Yvette van der Eijk, PhD
    Debate continues on how to frame tobacco and nicotine product regulation from a children’s rights perspective.
    AMA J Ethics. 2020;22(7):E643-644. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2020.643.
  • podcast1-2007
    Podcast
    Jul 2020

    Ethics Talk: Improvising Health Care

    Kelly Leonard, executive director of insights and applied improvisation at Second City Works, relates how improvisation can help clinicians build relationships with patients and improve their outcomes.
  • videocast6-2006
    Videocast
    Jun 2020

    Ethics Talk: White Coats for Black Lives

    Drs Joniqua Ceasar and Dorothy Charles talk about racism, police brutality, and health professionals' duty to promote health equity and social justice.