Humor in the OR: a stitch in time?

HUMOR SERVES MULTIPLE PURPOSES and provides numerous benefits for health care practitioners and their patients. IN THE PERIOPERATIVE SETTING, humor can be used to establish relationships, relieve anxiety, release anger in a socially acceptable way, avoid or deny painful feelings, and facilitate learning. PERIOPERATIVE NURSES can use a variety of techniques and resources to increase their use of humor, even if they perceive themselves to be humor-impaired.