Page 28 - Pharma News Letter Vol1 Issue2 - Converted By Dr. Ahmed Rashed

Chapter IV

were performed with a medical clown compared There are four main therapeutic goals of medical
with the controls (-0.76 on anxiety score, P clowns: connecting, dealing with emotions,
<0.001). Preoperative anxiety was lower in 512 empowering patients and establishing their
children (nine studies) with clown interventions control, and promoting treatment adherence.
than in the controls (-0.78, P <0.001). The pain These goals align with the values of patient-
scale was completed by 338 participants (six centred care, which encourages healthcare
studies), indicating a trend toward reduced pain professionals to consider patients’ social,
during procedures performed while the clown emotional, and spiritual needs through
was acting compared to controls (-0.49, P= thoughtful and sensitive communication.
0.06). In addition, medical clown significantly Further research is needed to explore patients’
(- 0.52, P= 0.001) reduced parental anxiety in and health professionals’ perspectives on
489 participants in ten studies; in six of the medical clowns’ use of the identified skills and
ten studies, with a total of 380 participants, their outcomes.
medical clown significantly reduced parental
preoperative anxiety (P= 0.02).
As research has shown that medical clowning References:
can help reduce pain, anxiety, and distress in • Kasem Ali Sliman R, Meiri N, Pillar G.
patients, and improve their overall satisfaction Medical clowning in hospitalized children: a
with medical care, it has also been shown to be meta-analysis [published online ahead of print,
effective in helping patients cope with chronic 2023 Apr 14]. World J Pediatr. 2023;10.1007/
illnesses, such as cancer, and in improving their s12519-023-00720-y. doi:10.1007/s12519-023-
quality of life. 00720-y.

Medical clowns’ skills were not limited to • Karnieli-Miller O, Divon-Ophir O, Sagi D,
creating humor and happiness, which is Pessach-Gelblum L, Ziv A, Rozental L. More
a common perception among healthcare Than Just an Entertainment Show: Identification
professionals. Instead, medical clowns’ roles and of Medical Clowns’ Communication Skills and
goals are much broader, ranging from building Therapeutic Goals. Qual Health Res. 2023;33(1-
a humanistic relationship to promote treatment 2):25-38. doi:10.1177/10497323221139781.
adherence. The identified skills used by medical
clowns included distraction, emotional support,
empowerment, and advocacy for patients.
Medical clowns were also found to be adaptable
and flexible in responding to the ideas, emotions,
gestures, and movements of their partners to
achieve various therapeutic goals.

28 Faculty of Pharmacy Newsletter