As a proctologist I understand the embarrassment associated with my profession. It is not easy for patients to talk about anorectal issues and it is up to the doctor to ease the situation.
Making light of a difficult subject with humor helps to lessen the discomfort patients feel when discussing such ailments. Humor also makes the doctor seem more “like a real person”.
Everyone who knows me understands that I deeply enjoy what I do and my sense of humor brings that forth. The humor is neither obnoxious nor quirky, it’s subtle. The patient’s ‘off the cuff’ remarks are quite humorous when placed in context. For example, a woman once came in with her spouse and stated, “I have a Pain in my butt” then innocently remarked, “Doctor, I’d like you to meet my husband.”