"As a resident physician, there would always be room for smiling and a laugh with a patient to help brighten their day. But this must always be done with tact and good judgment. I also feel that humor should be encouraged among the residents at any program to help them get through stressful times. If I were fortunate to join your program, I would look forward to building great relationships that would last the rest of my career."

If humor is used, it should be very mild and universal. It's a good policy to be kind, tolerant, professional, and compassionate with your patients. Certainly, laugh at a child's joke, if appropriate, and acknowledge a patient's attempt to be cheerful, but follow rather than lead with humor and only support, chuckle, or smile at anything that would be universally accepted as OK. Some people poke fun at themselves, but sometimes, it's a self-esteem issue so it's best to avoid playing along.