I recently visited a doctor for a routine checkup. As usual, he asked me the same questions he asks everyone:

“How old are you?”

“What is your height?”

“What is your weight?”

“Are you generally healthy?”

“What do you do for a living?”

When I answer that I give lectures on the topic of humor, my occupation is usually subject matter of conversation in itself. My career of choice is a so-called great “Conversation Starter.”

The doctor was intrigued and had more questions about my lectures and workshops. The following few minutes we just talked about my career.

I mentioned to him that in one of my lectures, I spoke about the fact that I think that doctors have a good sense of humor, and then I asked him, “What do you think about that?” He hesitated at first but then he told me a joke:

“…This woman filed a complaint for medical malpractice against her husband’s surgeon… “Ever since the surgery, my husband does not want to sleep with me and he doesn’t want to be intimate with me. You ruined his sex drive, you ruined our intimacy and you ruined our marriage…” The doctor replied in his defense, “Ma’am, I don’t know what you want from me, the operation was a complete success, we just corrected your husband’s eyesight…”

I also told him a joke and atmosphere in doctor’s office was pleasant and filled with humor.

Then we talked about how difficult it is to be a doctor. Not only is it difficult to be accepted to study medicine, the process of becoming a doctor is arduous and takes many years to achieve.     

One of the most important qualities for being a good doctor is their ‘human relations’ known in the medical community, as “bedside manners.” Good grades and a strong work ethic are not sufficient to become a doctor. It is important to remember that doctors usually treat other people, a skill that requires good interpersonal skills.

So, what does the concept of ‘bedside manner’ actually mean?

In my opinion, ‘bedside manner’ is a combination of traits such as  patience, empathy, listening skills, being sensitive and most importantly a good sense of humor.

A good sense of humor and the proper use of humor can help a doctor deal with the difficulties that are an inherent part of the profession. Moreover, a good sense of humor can improve the human relationship and interpersonal communication with their patients. Using humor correctly with patients can reduce their levels of anxiety. Moreover, humor can help convey unpleasant medical information and can alleviate the tension of difficult conversations.   

Therefore, in order to be a good doctor; one must have good grades, work hard and have a good bedside manner (which means a good sense of humor).