SMILES–toward a better laughter life: a model for introducing humor in the palliative care setting
Aug 1st, 2009 by admin
from J Cancer Educ. 2006 Spring;21(1):30-4
Division of Palliative Care, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1A4. manuel.borod@muhc.mcgill.ca
Humor and laughter have been thought to be beneficial for thousands of years. Although much has been written on this subject, there is very little written about the actual use of humor in practice. This article reviews the role that humor and laughter may play in medicine in general and palliative care in particular. In addition, it introduces a model that clinicians can follow when trying to introduce humor into their daily encounters with patients.