Publications [#301695] of Peter A Ubel

Journal Articles

1. Parsons, GN; Kinsman, SB; Bosk, CL; Sankar, P; Ubel, PA, Between two worlds medical student perceptions of humor and slang in the hospital setting., Journal of general internal medicine, vol. 16 no. 8 (August, 2001), pp. 544-549, ISSN 0884-8734 [11556931], [doi]
   (last updated on 2026/01/17)

   Abstract:
   

   Objective

   Residents frequently use humor and slang at the expense of patients on the clinical wards. We studied how medical students react to and interpret the "appropriateness" of derogatory and cynical humor and slang in a clinical setting.

   Design

   Semistructured, in-depth interviews.

   Setting

   Informal meeting spaces.

   Participants

   Thirty-three medical students.

   Measurements

   Qualitative content analysis of interview transcriptions.

   Main results

   Students' descriptions of the humorous stories and their responses reveal that students are able to take the perspective of both outsiders and insiders in the medical culture. Students' responses to these stories show that they can identify the outsider's perspective both by seeing themselves in the outsider's role and by identifying with patients. Students can also see the insider's perspective, in that they identify with residents' frustrations and disappointments and therefore try to explain why residents use this kind of humor. Their participation in the humor and slang--often with reservations--further reveals their ability to identify with the perspective of an insider.

   Conclusions

   Medical students describe a number of conflicting reactions to hospital humor that may enhance and exacerbate tensions that are already an inevitable part of training for many students. This phenomenon requires greater attention by medical educators.