More than a painted face and funny shoes, medical clowns help patients through advocacy, empowerment, motivation and problem solving.
After testing and categorizing the skills of medical clowns, Tel Aviv University (TAU) researchers found that their importance is far above just getting patients into a better mood.
They help patients and their families, they assist the medical team and make it easier for patients to cooperate with treatment.
“The moment the clown enters the room, they form a bond with the patients, strengthen them, and give them power and status within the medical system,” said study co-lead, TAU Department of Medical Education Prof. Ornit Karnieli-Miller.
Published in the medical journal Qualitative Health Research, the study identified skills in medical clowns relating to relationship building; dealing with emotions and difficulties; increasing patient motivation in following treatment plan; and building patients’ sense of control and confidence.
Karnieli-Miller and TAU’s Dr. Lior Rosenthal did the study in collaboration with the Israel Center for Medical Simulation at Sheba Medical Center and the Dream Doctors Project, which provides trained medical clowns to 34 Israeli hospitals and to humanitarian relief missions worldwide.
Image - Courtesy of Dream Doctors Project