Satisfaction and the Use of Humor by Physicians and Patients

Authors: Sala F.¹; Krupat E.²; Roter D.³

Source: Psychology and Health, Volume 17, Number 3, 1 January 2002 , pp. 269-280(12)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The current study investigated the extent to which various types of humor are associated with high- and low-satisfaction doctor visits and whether male and female physicians and patients differ in their use of humor. A humor coding scheme, capable of distinguishing three categories (negative, positive, and general) and ten sub-types of humor, was validated against 92 audiotaped physician-patient primary care visits, half rated high and half rated low in satisfaction. Results revealed that physicians and patients used more light humor, more humor that relieves tension, more self-effacing humor, and more positive-function humor in high satisfaction than in low-satisfaction visits. In addition, the patients of female physicians used more humor than the patients of male physicians across levels of satisfaction. The results indicate a strong association between humor and satisfaction, and suggest ways in which humor and laughter help to maintain rapportin the physician-patient relationship.

Keywords: Humor; Physician-patient relationship; Patient satisfaction; Gender; Laughter

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Hay/McBer, 116 Huntington Ave., Boston 2: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 179 Longwood Ave., Boston 3: Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Rm 750, Baltimore, MD 21205

Publication date: 2002-01-01