Background: This study reports on the comparison between the students’ expectations and the reality of radiographers in the field, dealing with the extent to which it is relevant to introduce a more personal approach in healthcare through humour and laugher.
Methods: Sample. Six hundred forty-one senior radiographers and 411 first, second or third year undergraduate radiographers, for a total sample of 1052 subjects from all over France. Material. Within a quantitative phase, both professionals radiographers and radiographers-in-training were assessed on several Likert-type scales involving concepts such as the functions of humour, and a second, qualitative phase based on open survey questions further focused on investigating the most salient concepts, notably within the senior radiographer sample.
Results: The radiographer apprentices saw the major benefits of humour in their relationships with patients, i.e. building a trust relationship (F=9.23, p<.01, η² =.009) or distraction technique (F=9.01, p<.01, η² =.009). While the senior radiographers put forward benefits especially regarding their colleagues or their own person, i.e. pleasant working environment (F=13.89, p<.001, η² =.013) and coping strategy during stressful events (F=3.29, p<.10, η² =.003). Positive aspects of humour do prevail over the negative ones in both radiographer groups, but professionals emphasize the contextualized aspects of humour and warn that it may infringe on patients and their dignity.
Conclusion: Considering humour as a personal and a professional value among the samples studied opens new perspectives on use of humour and its training within both institutional and educational contexts, preventing any possible harmful use.