Humor intervention in the nurse-patient interaction

Luís Manuel Mota Sousa, Cristina Maria Alves Marques-Vieira, Ana Vanessa Antunes, Maria de Fátima Graça Frade, Sandy Pedro Silva Severino, Olga Sousa Valentim

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

26 Citations (Scopus)
22 Downloads

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the factors influencing the use of humor in nursing care, its applicability and benefits. METHOD: A scoping review was performed using the Arksey and O'Mally methodology. A search for articles published between 2008 and 2018 was performed using the platforms EBSCO Host, Virtual Health Library and Google Scholar. RESULTS: From the initial 465 articles found, 17 were included for final revision. Data allowed to retrieve information on humor definition; its applicability as a nursing intervention; humor as a tool to improve nurse-patient communication and relationship; influence factors; type of humor interventions; humor benefits in health care context and; limitations and precautions of humor intervention. CONCLUSION: The use of humor promotes both communication and human interaction; it promotes well-being; helps deal/cope with difficult and unpleasant situations, reduces tension, discomfort and stress; and strengthens the immune system. This intervention should be used with caution.

Translated title of the contribution A intervenção humor na interação enfermeiro-paciente
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1078-1085
Number of pages8
JournalRevista Brasileira de Enfermagem
Volume72
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Aug 2019

Keywords

  • Communication
  • Nurse-patient relations
  • Wit and humor as subject
  • Nursing
  • Patient outcome assessment

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