Clowns and their humour have entertained human beings for centuries. As yet, the literature fails to demonstrate significant research evidence based on the efficacy of clown humour as a therapy within children’s hospitals/units. Despite this, many health professionals, with an interest in both the psychological and physical aspects of a patient’s well-being, are showing an increased interest in the use of clown humour within health-care settings.
A study* by Katy Weaver focuses on the perceived effects of clown doctor humour as experienced by children in a large children’s inpatient facility in the south of England. Before a clown doctor visit, there were 34 negative spoken comments articulated by the children and only 14 positive comments, suggesting that the dominant theme was negative. Analysis of data elicited after the clown doctor visit showed a much more positive theme, with 57 positive comments being articulated by the children and only three negative comments being generated. This qualitative study of children’s perceptions of hospital clown humour, using the draw-and-write/draw-and-tell techniques, has shown that children appreciate the beneficial effects of a clown doctor visit to them during their hospital stay. The data suggests that clown humour can mitigate some of the negative effects of hospitalisation for sick children. Of the 23 suggestions made by the children after the clown doctor encounter, 19 of them were requests for more frequent clown visits or more clown doctors.
This study backs up something we often hear: "Why don´t you visit more often?"
Dr Peter Spitzer, Medical Director
This is an abstract of an article by Katy Weaver, a UK hospital play therapist specialist which appeared in the Journal of Children´s and Young People´s Nursing, Vol. 1, Iss. 8, 05 Dec 2007.
