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NEWS EXTRA: Roger Dobson Enforced humour annoys patients BMJ 2003; 326: 1418-d [Full text]

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The Benefits of Humor

Lyn Hester   (17 July 2003)

The Benefits of Humor 17 July 2003
Lyn Hester, Vice President Integris Health Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112 Send response to journal: Re: The Benefits of Humor	As one of the creators of the MIRTH (Medical Institute for Recovery Through Humor)wing at Integris Health in Oklahoma City I was most interested in your article "Enforced Humour Annoys Patients". Regarding your statement that humor should not be forced on anyone, let me clarify that patients received information prior to coming to the unit and were both congnisent and aggreeable with the MIRTH philosophy. The decorations which were changed periodically, were lively and helped to create a welcoming and fun atmosphere. The vast majority of patients and their families enjoyed the décor and in fact the patient satisfaction scores on that floor were consistantly higher than anywhere else. Additionally, many patients returned to volunteer on the floor. The MIRTH wing was closed because of a medical reimbursement issue completely unrelated to the units’ concept. In fact, it has been reopened by popular demand on another floor in our hospital system. Although I agree that forcing anyone’s beliefs on another is incorrect, I also strongly believe in the use of humor in healthcare, for the patient, their families and the hospital staff. While laughing at a Marx Brothers’ film can’t replace the benefits of conventional medicine, it can have a very real effect on a person’s well being. The ability to see, access and share humor involves an ability and willingness to see things from a different perspective. This helps a person keep problems in perspective with the positive things that also are inevitably a part of that person’s life. Oncology surgeon Bernie Siegel, M.D., the well-known author of Love, Medicine and Miracles and Peace, Love and Healing, says he believes patients with good senses of humor are able to conquer illnesses faster. Certainly additional research needs to be done on this subject, although there has already been some very compelling research published by Drs Berk and Tan and Dr. William Frey. New concepts and ideas are often met with skepticism and trepidation but that should not keep us from exploring new concepts that could make life easier for all of us. We would be pleased to discuss your conducting your own research on this wing or would be happy to send you results of our study when it is completed. Competing interests:   None declared