Healing Humor: The Use of Humor in the Nurse-Patient Relationship

Abstract

Objective: To identify the importance of using humor in patient/nurse relationship, its factors, its conditions and the barriers that might limit its use. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar, for relevant articles published in English between 2010 and 2019. We included the studies that investigated humor between nurses and their patient’s relationship. Results: From the initial 287 articles found, 15 were included for final revision. Data allowed retrieving information on humor definition; its applicability as a nursing intervention; humor as a tool to improve nurse-patient communication and relationship; influencing factors; humor benefits in health care context and the limits that come against its use. Conclusion: Humor is considered a powerful communication tool, it promotes well-being, relieves anxiety and stress, helps deal with stressful situations but it should be used cautiously in order to prevent undesired consequences.