Seriously clowning: Medical clowning interaction with children undergoing invasive examinations in hospitals

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Psychology
• Child Life Services
• Medical Humanities

Background:

• Invasive medical examinations can be distressing for children.
• The role of non-pharmacological interventions in pediatric care is increasingly recognized.
• Previous research has explored art and play therapy, but the specific impact of medical clowns needs further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the subjective experiences of children and their parents during invasive examinations with a medical clown.
• To assess the impact of medical clown interventions on children's perceptions of the hospital environment and procedures.
• To evaluate the therapeutic potential of medical clowns in pediatric healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing in-depth, semi-structured interviews.
• Participants included nine children undergoing invasive examinations and their nine parents.
• Interviews were conducted in two hospital outpatient departments in Israel and thematically coded using Atlas.ti software.

Main Results:

• Medical clown intervention positively altered children's perceptions of the hospital.
• Children reported improved experiences of undergoing invasive examinations.
• The clown's presence positively influenced children's life narratives and overall well-being.

Conclusions:

• Medical clowns serve as a meaningful and therapeutic resource for children and parents during invasive procedures.
• Integrating medical clowns into healthcare teams performing invasive procedures is advisable.
• Involving clowns throughout the entire hospital visit may enhance their therapeutic impact.