Lifelong Learning Programme

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

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Training of Lecturers

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This training package is addressed to lecturers and trainers in the field of paediatrics on how to assist paediatric undergraduate and resident students in developing and consolidating their soft skills for improving the quality of paediatric services.

Communicating with Other Health Care Staff in Pediatrics

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5.3. Soft skills to Be Used with other Health Care Staff in Pediatrics
5.3.5. Politeness, Humour, Banter
Using the concept of relational practice, Holmes & Schnurr (2005) made an analysis of workplace humor, which illustrated what each approach offers in terms of distinguishing different communities of practice, as well as providing a means of exploring the issue of politeness. Communication between health care staff and medical professionals must be polite. Anyway, both politeness and humour might be useful in order to create a better workplace environment and may help professionals dealing with intercultural issues, such as different beliefs and values or language barriers.

In hospital context, banter tends to occur almost ritualistically when professionals need to undergo emotional pressure: it seems that, in such situations, banter has a positive function in allowing aggression to be expressed, but also in defusing its violent effects by promoting an atmosphere of friendly cheerfulness.
Online Resources
  • Humor in workplaceHolmes, J. & Schnurr, S. (2005). Politeness, Humor and Gender in the Workplace: Negotiating Norms and Identifying Contestation. Journal of Politeness Research. Language, Behaviour, Culture, 1(1), pp. 121-149
    A case study showing how a newcomer transitioning towards integral status interacts with the use of humor in her new workplace.

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This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.