The Therapeutic Effect of Good Humour in PalliativeCare: Á Propos Patch Adams (1998) and Planta 4ª (2003)

Abstract

Facing a serious issue with humour does not necessarily mean “lightly”, such that humour can be used as a therapeutic tool and to treat the stress of individuals facing such circumstances. The holistic care requested by the WHO for terminal patients includes, where possible and indicated, the courteous and spontaneous use of a sense of humour, because the end of life is also a useful time to share moments of laughter and fun as another way of improving the quality of life of such patients and their families. Laughter and humour can stimulate a positive and hopeful attitude and provide new perspectives to people’s problems. However, their use requires carers who are highly sensitive to the perception of when they are necessary or when they might be inappropriate. Here we review the possibilities of laughter and humour as coadjuvants to improve the wellbeing of patients and some guidelines for their use in terminal patients through a study of the two films, Patch Adams and Planta 4a, both of which address different but important aspects of palliative care.

Keywords

• buen humor
• tristeza
• cuidados paliativos
• patch adams
• planta 4ª