I've been familiar with the term 'medical clown' for quite a while. The son of a good friend of mine, always looking for volunteering , found his vocation in clowning for entertaining hospitalized children (that was before he started his own family and became a busy chemistry teacher in high school).
To become a 'medical clown', he had to attend a special course and get a diploma. In his activity as a clown he usually wore a red nose, funny clothes and carried colorful baloons. He and his mother were very proud of this project.
Lately, I've become aware that there is more to it. There are 'clown doctors' , not ordinary people looking to volunteer , but professional doctors trained, in addition to their specialty, to help the patient deal with pain and fears of various medical procedures, through humor and distractiveness.
Health Care clowning is nowadays a worldwide practice. Professional doctors and ordinary volunteers can achieve good therapeutic goals with both children and adults, using means to create a light-hearted atmosphere free of anxiety and stress.
i do not know about this therapy:)
ReplyDeleteWell, now you know, Kathy. It has great benefits when dealing with hospitalized children and elderly.
Deletei think it is a great idea;)
DeleteIt is. Thank you.
DeleteWonderful picture! We used to have a friend who volunteered as a clown and met his wife that way. It's good to see clowns do have a place, even at the hospital.
ReplyDeleteAs always, couples meet at courses, at work, at volunteering facilities. Clowns definitely have a place , and not only at the circus.
DeleteIt makes perfect sense to have clowns at work among the adults and seniors in hospitals too. I didn’t realize it was happening though. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYes, Marie, it's sure happening , in the western world countries, mainly. It is a positive, useful kind of paramedical activity.
DeleteI've heard of this in the Childrens hospital near us. It's a great idea!
ReplyDeleteIt started in the eighties in children's hospitals.. Research showed good results, so it went on to adults. Great idea, indeed!
DeleteHumor is so important to healing, Duta. I enjoyed learning that it's a professional passion that's not only for children.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Humor has long been recognized as a significant , healing power, Martha. It has a beneficial effect on body and mind.
DeleteDuta, thank you so much for sharing this! I have not heard of either of those terms before, but what a wonderful idea!
ReplyDeleteWonderful indeed, Dianna! Whether done by professonal doctors or by ordinary volunteers, the clowning care has a positive impact on the child or adult hospital patient.
DeleteI have never heard of this Health Care clowning. This is a great cause though.
ReplyDeleteWell it's not advertised or something. People get to know about this if they happen to visit hospitals or meet volunteering medical clowns. Anyway, it's indeed, a great cause!
DeleteVery interesting
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine. It sure is interesting!
DeleteClowns over here are meant to be fearful to most...but I so adore them. I had many favorite growing up from Emmett Kelly yo Bozo and Milky. A great cause to assist those in the hospital. Janice
ReplyDeleteClowns are meant to entertain us. Medical clowns do that in hospitals with the purpose of helping patients, especially children, overcome pain and fears.
DeleteHow wonderful. I hadn't heard of this before. Over here, volunteers often times bring in therapy animals, which is also nice. Take special care.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Anything that helps , even therapy animals, is welcome.
DeleteThere was a movie out with Robin WIlliams and he played one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. Robim Williams was a good actor. I'll look the movie up on the web.
DeleteThat sound like a wonderful idea as I've never heard of it before - if it works which it obviously does is the best to help people in hospital.
ReplyDeleteIt has long become known that humor, laughter, joy are an integral part of the healing process, and therefore these aspects of life should be integrated in health care.
DeleteI've never been a fan of clowns but I think they have their purpose and this is an excellent one. To be able to take some of the fear out of the medical industrial complex to children, to give them some joy -- that's a real gift. I love that your friend's son has taken on this mantle and really respect that. He is doing very good things. There was a movie with Robin Williams called Patch Adams that addressed something similar. I would like to see that again.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate people that volunteer to help people in distress, at hospitals or at home. We encounter so much wickedness in our daily life , that these volunteers stand out much above any of those.
ReplyDeleteThough never a big fan of regular clowns, these have a purpose in helping people through suffering times and are exemplary in doing so. I wish this had existed when I was a child enduring surgeries and therapies. Thanks for visiting today. I have been getting extra sleep and feel slightly better. I hope you are well.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you feel better. Sleep does a good job when someone feels unwell. As for medical clowns, they do a good job too in helping people in their suffering.
DeleteRobin Williams played a medical clown in Patch Adams - a very well done movie from some years ago. Laughter is good medicine as the book of Proverbs says.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen the movie, but I believe Williams was a successful medical clown in it.
DeleteWhile I know this is a very worthy and helpful project, Duta, I am not a fan of clowns so would not like to see either a clown volunteer or a clown doctor.
ReplyDeleteI believe with children it's successful, with adults, especially the elderly, less. The elderly might feel irritated by it.
DeleteThis is such a good idea, it must have so many good benefits, especially when dealing with children in hospital.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
A good idea - I think so too, especially when dealing with very young patients.
DeleteNão sabia que havia pessoas que se dedicavam a essa atividade. Reconheço, contudo, que tem aspetos positivos e, portanto, efeitos práticos.
ReplyDeleteAbraço de amizade.
Juvenal Nunes
Yes, it's a positive activity meant to help those in hospitals through creating an atmosphere of humor and laughter.
DeleteAnything to make the kids feel more at ease.
ReplyDeleteAnything- right, Mary. Laughter and playful behavior will do.
DeleteThis is such a positive thing. I wouldn't have realized the amount of training involved but it makes sense because these clowns are a lot more than entertainment. I've never found clowns frightening but it is, apparently, a common fear. I would assume medical clowns are trained to detect any such fear and handle it in a positive way.
ReplyDeleteTraining plays ,indeed, an important role in this. Both, ordinary volunteers and doctors must undergo proper training.
DeleteHi Duta, I have a fear of clowns, they seem so creepy! I think anyone with humour at the bedside if I was unwell would be welcome if they could tell the odd good joke though :)
ReplyDelete
DeleteI suppose with kids, everything is possible, but grown-ups would prefer a joke or two to make things easier and lighter. It doesn't have to be a 'clown' ; just someone with humor.
I don't know what it is about clowns but they scare me to death, haha! What a great idea though, especially for children who seem to love clowns, anything to alleviate their stress and anxiety whilst they're in hospital.
ReplyDeleteThe idea behind 'medical' clowning is a good one. I know from some parents, that it works great with hospitalized children.
Delete¡Que buena idea que tuvo el médico además de un buen corazón! Por los enfermos se hace mucho sobretodo si son niños.
ReplyDeleteAbrazos.
Yes, Conchi - a good idea , and a good heart - that's what the sick need.
DeleteThe movie Patch Adams starring Robin Williams was about a real doctor who used clowning to relieve stress for his patients. Your great post sounds very similar.
ReplyDeleteThe movie has been brought to my attention by previous commenters. I haven't seen the movie, but I know Robin Williams (rip) was a great actor. He was perfect for the role.
DeleteI'm flabbergasted reading this. Worked as a volunteer in a hospital for several years when in High School and never saw or heard anything about this. Later when I got a paying job at the hospital for 5 years the same thing, nothing about this. Years later I managed 2 urgent care facilities associated with a large teaching hospital (not the same one where I worked previously), and again nothing. So many children are afraid of clowns I wouldn't think this would be a good way to calm them down when hospitalized. I can remember going to Halloween Parties when my daughter was young and the kids truly wanted nothing to do with the a few adults dressed as a clown. I'm going to have to research this in my area to find out why I've never come across this in any form. You've got me really curious about it. Things that would make children or adults less stressed when hospitalized is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've got curious about the subject.
DeleteI know it exists since the late eighties. I suppose , on the Web, you can find details and answers to your questions.
I had never heard of clown doctors, that is such a great idea though. I can see where that would be helpful and would put people at ease and help them to smile during a difficult time. But I know people that are scared of clowns, don't know how they would feel to come out of anesthesia and see a clown standing next to their bed! That would be such a shock. Interesting topic as usual.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I was not aware of fear of clowns. Some of the comments, yours included, have made me aware of that.
DeleteI suppose it's taken into account by those who train the medical clowns.
Duta, here are the clown doctors in the Clinic where I am treated and they awaken a smile in those who are waiting to be treated, making them forget for a moment the problem that afflicts them.
ReplyDeleteOh, Norma dear, what happened? Hopefully, nothing serious. Glad you've seen the clown doctors in action, at the clinic where you're treated.
Delete