The term “medical carnivalesque” is an umbrella concept that brings together and foregrounds latent aspects of medical culture into a coherent whole.  The organization of modern medicine entails not only difficult training and work, but also extensive bureaucracy, specialization of knowledge, and institutionalized power dynamics, as well as stress, isolation and even trauma for practitioners.  Physicians respond to this difficult organizational context through humor, folklore, and other informal means that offer resistance to institutional demands; index the absurdity of modern medical practices and touch on ancient themes of life, death, and the body.  This presentation provides an introduction and overview to the concept of the medical carnivalesque, including suggestions and ideas for practical applications for improving medical culture, education, and the wellbeing of physicians and providers.

 

Bioethics and Medical Humanities Grand Rounds provides a monthly forum for teaching participants to resolve cases based on the best ethical practices. Bioethics and Medical Humanities Grand Rounds also provides information on any legislative changes that occur so that clinicians are ready to implement them. The Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities is the only clinical ethics center in Wisconsin. The faculty are leaders in clinical ethics and set the agenda for clinical ethics practice in Southeastern Wisconsin.

 

Key Words: Bioethics, Clinical Ethics, Health Care Ethics, Medical Ethics, Medical Humanities