Analysis of The Movie "Patch Adams" using Communication Models.
The analysis of the movie Patch Adams: Is humor the best medicine?
Patch Adams is a movie that is based on a true story. It is about a man who has experienced many things in his lifetime, from being institutionalized in a psychiatric ward of a hospital to being a well-respected doctor that heals and calms many people with humor. This movie portrays many aspects of health communication that we have discussed in this class, and it also accurately represents one of the debates currently taking place in the health communication field. In this paper I will review past terms and models such as: physician-centered communication, collaborative communication, and the biopsychosocial model. These terms will be used to help demonstrate that the information found in the movie Patch Adams is relevant to the field of health communication. Then I will attempt to answer the underlying question of the movie Patch Adams, "Is humor the best medicine?"
Since the beginning of time man has held many different theories on health and what causes illness. Some more farfetched than others, but also some that are more believable. For example, the biopsychosocial model still influences many. This model approaches health as an overall encompassing phenomenon. This means that health is affected by more than just physical ailments. Overall health is a product of both physical and emotional
Well being. According to Athena du Pre in her book, Communicating about Health: Current Issues and Perspectives: "The biopsychosocial perspective takes into account patients' physical conditions (biology), their thoughts and beliefs (psychology), and their social expectations". She went on to state, "The biopsychosocial approach is supported by evidence that people's thoughts and emotions have an influence on their overall health".
Considering this, now take a look at the movie Patch Adams. Hunter Adams, or better known as "Patch", never found his notch in life, especially after his father died when he was
Patch Adams is a movie that is based on a true story. It is about a man who has experienced many things in his lifetime, from being institutionalized in a psychiatric ward of a hospital to being a well-respected doctor that heals and calms many people with humor. This movie portrays many aspects of health communication that we have discussed in this class, and it also accurately represents one of the debates currently taking place in the health communication field. In this paper I will review past terms and models such as: physician-centered communication, collaborative communication, and the biopsychosocial model. These terms will be used to help demonstrate that the information found in the movie Patch Adams is relevant to the field of health communication. Then I will attempt to answer the underlying question of the movie Patch Adams, "Is humor the best medicine?"
Since the beginning of time man has held many different theories on health and what causes illness. Some more farfetched than others, but also some that are more believable. For example, the biopsychosocial model still influences many. This model approaches health as an overall encompassing phenomenon. This means that health is affected by more than just physical ailments. Overall health is a product of both physical and emotional
Well being. According to Athena du Pre in her book, Communicating about Health: Current Issues and Perspectives: "The biopsychosocial perspective takes into account patients' physical conditions (biology), their thoughts and beliefs (psychology), and their social expectations". She went on to state, "The biopsychosocial approach is supported by evidence that people's thoughts and emotions have an influence on their overall health".
Considering this, now take a look at the movie Patch Adams. Hunter Adams, or better known as "Patch", never found his notch in life, especially after his father died when he was
References: Anderson, P. A., Gill, P. S., Greenfield, S. M., & Loudon, R. F. (1999). Educating medical students for work in culturally diverse societies. Journal of American Medical Association, 282. 875-880. du Pre ', A. (2000). Communicating about health: Issues and perspectives. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Publishing Company. Granick, S. (1995). The therapeutic value of laughter. USA Today Magazine,124, 1-6. Walsh, J. (1928). Laughter and health. NY: Appleton.