Humor on Cancer Patients

There have been numerous studies done to show the effectivness of humor in patients undergoing treatment for cancer. The purpouse of the studies was to explore the therapudic use of humor as an intervention for patients with cancer and to examine the evidence for the use of humor as a coping tool. Using the steler model, in-depth literature reviews were performed that demonstrated a positive correlation between humor and comfort levels. The analysis was guided by the five phases of the steler model.

The purpose of the first phase of the steler model was to examine the evidence for the use of humor as a coping tool for patients with cancer. The second phase guided the support of the scientific accuracy of each article or study comparative evaluation and descision. The third phase were the results from the studies and literature, which guided nurses in deciding whether they should be used, rejected, or delayed until furthur research is available. In the forth phase the researchers use what they have discovered to perform beneficial actions on patients with cancer. The process of evaluation is what classifies the fifth phase. This evaluation phase is an essential process throughout the other four phases.

Twenty in depth evaluation studies were performed differently for different reasons. The clinical journal of oncology nursing states that, " The synthesis of these twenty research studies demonstrates that humor is an effective intervention with a potentially enormous impact on the health and well-being of patients in numerous settings." Although this concept seems to be completely true it lacks supporting evidence and it requires furthur research.

Laughing, joking, and humor can all help cancer patients manage their pain. As stated in the clinical journal of oncology nursing, "people who used humor as a coping strategy reported having fewer health problems than those who did not. Laughter is a coping mechanism that promotes relaxation and healing." One thing to help a patient is for them to watch a humorous video while getting treated to lower the pain ratings.

The use of humor can change the way that practitioners interact with their patients because it allows both the nurse and patient to handle being in unlikable or embarrassing procedures or situations. The patients spend more time with the nurse than any other health care worker, so it can be a huge effective device for the nurses to use with them