Wade Grindle is a California-based anesthesiologist and blogger. When he's not helping patients during surgery he's writing content on two sites: one a straightforward medical blog and the other a medical humor blog. Grindle's responsibilities are no joke, but his technique is centered on the idea that humor, and ultimately happiness, is what drives the most important aspects of the healing process.
We recently got the chance to sit down with Dr. Grindle to ask him a few questions about his professional policy of getting patients to giggle.
1) Who, or what, inspired you to become a medical professional with a sense of humor?
My dad was an eye surgeon and his influence certainly inspired me to seek a medical career. He would do volunteer work in Mexico which I accompanied him on a few times, and was always dedicated to trying to make his patients laugh with the little Spanish he knew. These were mostly poor farmer families who probably never saw a doctor before, and it was nice to see how well he was able to break the ice with jokes.
2) How does your approach sit with other medical professionals?
Most get a kick out of it. The need for humor is as much an essential for the doctors and medical staff as it is for the patients. We're constantly working under enormous pressures and are forced to handle high volumes of stress everyday, so the humor really helps. Surgeons and other OR workers can often be touchy individuals, understandably, so there's always a time and a place. But on the whole it's well received, or else I wouldn't bother with it.
3) Why did you decide on becoming an anesthesiologist?
When I first enrolled in pre-med, it was mainly because it involved using a vast array of interesting instruments. I've always been a bit of a tech geek. But in the years afterward learning the trade, when the novelty of the gadgets wore off, I found that anesthesiology was a path that allowed me to serve patients in an intimate and involved way, especially if I wanted to make humor a centerpiece of my style.
4) What draws you to the social network and blogging?
I like the idea that I can reach out to folks who I'd otherwise never meet God willing. It lets me really stretch out on the spectrum of humor as it's applied to health sciences. In the hospital and especially the OR there's a tightrope to walk on, but online is where it's appropriate to let loose and say what I want to say. It's nice to know that at any moment somebody could be getting some fulfilling medical information from one of my blogs, free of charge.
5) What are some final thoughts you have for those out there who might be reading?
If you're undergoing health problems, don't put your sense of humor on the back burner because your body needs it more than ever. If you're thinking about becoming an anesthesiologist or other medical professional remember that laughter is often the best medicine no matter what. It makes the day a little better for everybody involved.
