“We are still doing some magic”: Exploring the effectiveness of online therapeutic clowning

More Than Just an Entertainment Show: Identification of Medical Clowns’ Communication Skills and Therapeutic Goals

“…The findings of this study fit well with recent literature, indicating that MCs’ roles and goals are broad, ranging from a humanistic relationship to motivation to adhere to the treatment plan (Gray et al, 2021; Hanuka et al, 2011; Holland et al, 2022; Kontos et al, 2017). This broad range of goals requires the MCs to be flexible to adapt to different partners and situations (Holland et al, 2022) and explains the need for the various skills.…”

“…It hurts!”). This scenario was chosen because MCs are invited to help with patients who are upset and suffering and are unwilling to cooperate with medical team recommendations (Gray et al, 2021; Holland et al, 2022) . (b) Communicating in a triad of physiotherapist, adolescent, and MC, where the adolescent with respiratory problems is reluctant to perform prescribed physio exercises (Title-“Teamwork”).(c) Communicating with the mother of a (sleeping) young boy.…”

“…Challenges include trying to help children and adolescents who are experiencing frustration from the illness itself and from the need to be in a new, strange, isolated environment. ( Barkmann et al, 2013 ; Gray et al, 2021 ; Rennick & Rashotte, 2009 ; Wilson et al, 2010 ) Interaction with these children and adolescents is challenging as they experience distress and difficulty in dealing with painful procedures and treatments, ( Kristensen et al, 2018 ; Rennick & Rashotte, 2009 ; Wilson et al, 2010 ) leading, at times to unwillingness to cooperate with medical teams’ recommendations ( Gray et al, 2021 ; Holland et al, 2022 ). Another challenge is communicating with worried, anxious, and exhausted parents.…”

“…( Karnieli-Miller et al, 2012 ) These challenges are prevalent and some studies have begun to identify specific medical clowning skills that are useful in certain interactions, for example, when helping children cope with invasive procedures and in children’s rehabilitation ( Gray et al, 2021 ; Kristensen et al, 2018 ). Still, MCs’ skills and related therapeutic goals require further exploration and identification, as they are considered “ill-defined in the academic literature” ( Holland et al, 2022 ), especially when interacting with parents and in a triad with healthcare teams ( Kristensen et al, 2018 ).…”

“…The need to learn about MCs’ skills and competencies has led to an increase in research papers, in recent years, including quantitative satisfaction surveys, case studies, storytelling, observational perspectives, and ethnographic fieldwork ( Dionigi et al, 2014 ; Dionigi & Goldberg, 2019 ; Finlay et al, 2014 ; Friedler et al., 2017 ; Holland et al, 2022 ; Kristensen et al, 2018 ; Mora-Ripoll, 2010 ) 1 . These papers were very important in identifying performance arts skills among MCs (such as music, comedy, mime, magic, or puppetry) that entail cognitive distraction, humor, improvisation, imagery, and relational aspects to shift attention from pain or distress ( Barkmann et al, 2013 ; Dionigi & Canestrari, 2016 ; Finlay et al, 2014 ; Koller & Gryski, 2008 ; Kristensen et al, 2018 ; Linge, 2008 , 2013 ; Ofir et al, 2016 ; Tener et al, 2010 ).…”