Hospital clowning: a paediatrician’s view

Abstract

This study investigates the current position of hospital clowns from the perspective of paediatricians and paediatric residents. A total of 14 attending paediatricians and paediatric residents participated in two focus group sessions. Data were analysed using Atlas.ti 5.0. In general, physicians reported positive experiences regarding the interaction between hospital clowns and paediatric patients on the ward. Physicians were more interested in research on children’s perception of hospital clowns than in research on the clinical efficacy of hospital clowning. No direct collaboration between physicians and hospital clowns was reported. However, physicians proposed conditions which may streamline their encounters with hospital clowns such as clear communication prior to hospital clown visits, and the condition that visits do not impede medical interventions. Conclusion: Overall, paediatricians and paediatric residents view the positive impact on paediatric patients as the most important aspect of hospital clown visits, rather than the clinical efficacy of hospital clowning. In light of the growing number of hospital clowns worldwide, this article provides recommendations for arranging their encounters with paediatricians and paediatric residents to maintain optimal health care. What is known: • Previous studies show a clinically significant pain- and anxiety-reducing effect of hospital clowning in paediatric patients admitted to hospitals or undergoing (invasive) medical procedures. • In general, paediatricians have positive ideas about hospital clowns, aside from personal prejudices. What is new: • This novel study gives deeper insight into day-to-day interaction between paediatricians and hospital clowns on the ward.• This study provides recommendations for clinical practice to arrange encounters between physicians and hospital clowns during hospital clown visits.

Clowning as a Complementary Approach for Reducing Iatrogenic Effects in Pediatrics

“…Clowns, if they are to be an integral part of the health care system, must adjust their interventions according to hospital rules. Research conducted to evaluate the appreciation of clown interventions speaks in favor of integrating this practice into the hospital setting, as it is well received by patients, relatives, and hospital staff [30,31].…”

Feeling happy and carefree: a qualitative study on the experiences of parents, medical clowns and healthcare professionals with medical clowns

“…As found by Blain et al (2012) and Van Venrooij and Barnhoorn (2017), the clown effect is enhanced by close collaboration and communication between medical clowns and healthcare professionals. In other countries, for instance Israel, medical clowns are involved in medical procedures, and they cooperate closely with hospital staff.…”

“…Studies have shown positive effects of these activities on the children, and it has been suggested that medical clowns should become an integral part of the health team (Kocherov et al, 2016; Ofir et al, 2016; Tener, Ofir, Lev-Wiesel, Franco, & On, 2016; Wolyniez et al, 2013). However, other studies showed a more negative attitude and suggested that the presence of clowns may interfere with medical routines and that children did not want a clown present during tests or medical procedures (Mansson et al, 2013; Vagnoli et al, 2005; Van Venrooij & Barnhoorn, 2017). In our study, most participants also did not support the idea of medical clowns being present during medical procedures.…”

Coulrophobia: how irrational is fear of clowns?

“…Their findings are very interesting, particularly in light of our recent study, which found that four out of 14 paediatricians and paediatric residents consider themselves afraid of clowns [5]. Meiri and colleagues advocate for more studies on this poorly described phenomenon, and we agree.…”