Describe a situation in which it may be appropriate to use humor in the workplace as an Anesthesiologist.
Caring for patients is typically not funny business, and someone coming in cracking jokes under dire circumstances may find their humor rejected. There is a time for humor in healthcare, but it must be mindful. Your interviewer wants to know that you would join their team with a bit of professional fun to you while ensuring that you do so in a tactful manner.
"I'm a firm believer in using humor to sustain a team in trying times. I would make room for a smile and a laugh with a patient to brighten their day, but this must always be done with tact and good judgment. I also feel that humor should be encouraged among the team in any medical practice to get through stressful times. If I were fortunate enough to join your institution, I would look forward to building great relationships that would last the rest of my career."
If humor is used in the workplace, it should be mild and universal. It's a good policy to be kind, tolerant, professional, and compassionate with your patients. Laugh at a child's joke, if appropriate, and acknowledge a patient's attempt to be cheerful, but follow rather than lead. Some people poke fun at themselves, but sometimes it's a self-esteem issue, so it's best to avoid playing along.
