Send in the Clowns!

family, health related issues, humor, lessons learned, Teaching and Education 1 Minute

Clowns, for some reason, seem to have gone out of style.

Sure there were always a few kids creeped out by a clown, but I think, for the most part, clowns used to have a good reputation. That is no longer the case. Everyone seems creeped out by clowns now.

Well, not everyone. I like clowns, perhaps because I used to be one, as shown in the photo above from about 25 years ago.

So imagine my excitement when I came across this story from the Christmas issue of the BMJ (formerly known as the British Medical Journal).

Researchers evaluated evidence from randomized controlled trials and non-randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of hospital clowns for a range of symptom clusters in children and adolescents admitted to hospital with acute and chronic conditions.

Studies showed that children and adolescents who were in the presence of hospital clowns, either with or without a parent present, reported significantly less anxiety during a range of medical procedures, as well as improved psychological adjustment. Three studies that evaluated chronic conditions showed favorable results for the intervention of hospital clowns with a significant reduction in stress, fatigue, pain, and distress.

These findings suggest that the presence of hospital clowns during medical procedures, induction of anesthesia in the preoperative room, and as part of routine care for chronic conditions might be a beneficial strategy to manage some symptom clusters. Furthermore, hospital clowns might help improve psychological wellbeing in admitted children and adolescents with acute and chronic disorders, compared with those who received only standard care.

So take that, all of you who are creeped out by clowns.

I think I may have found the perfect volunteer opportunity for when I retire …

Published by Jim Borden

A 60-something guy trying to figure out the world, and his place in it. Happily married for 40-plus years, three wonderful sons. Accounting teacher, fitness enthusiast, blogger, reader.

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62 thoughts on “Send in the Clowns!”

  1. I think its due to Stephen King’s novel that everyone is freaked out by clowns now! LOL!
    But Wow, we have something in common. I was a clown too. My friend and I did it after we graduated from HS for a little bit. It was a lot of fun! I think that sounds like a great retirement plan for you!

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      1. in fact, when I was in high school, I had considered going to Ringling’s Clown College down in Sarasota. But I heard it was harder to get into than Harvard. Penn Jillette is a grad…

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      6. Well aren’t you kind, even though I was just “yelling” dummkopf at you minutes ago in the thread on my post. LOL!

        I really don’t know how I missed that, you did spell it out didn’t you! See, I been so saturated with puns I can’t even see them when right in front of me!

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      15. when I took typing in high school, I had to use a typewriter that had no labels on the keys because I was looking at them too often. So I guess you don’t need to see while blogging…

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  2. Even though I’m an adult, I’d love to have a clown visit me in the hospital. It would be at least as funny, and not nearly as expensive, as those clowns with the medical licenses, who have visited me.

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  6. Things fell apart when Quincy the Clown retired. It may take decades to recover.

    On a slightly more serious note, did you ever see the movie “Patch Adams” starring Robin Williams? I don’t know if you’d consider that a clown, but he certainly brought joy to the kids with his antics.

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  8. I have never fully understood the irrational fear of clowns. I think of them as one of the least scary things to be faced with. But we all have our things that we wrestle with, so who am I to judge. All joking aside, this is an opportunity for Quincy, should you ever decide to retire. You could volunteer at hospitals and homeless shelters. Both places where kids could use a smile. I think practicing your juggling and balloon animals would be good therapy for your wrists anyway. Do you still have your costume?

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  9. that picture of you is amazing. as you know, I am terrified of clowns, but I do appreciate the good work that some of them do, and any positive, like calming children who are ill.

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  15. I was creeped out by clowns growing up, but all that changes when I was visited by one in my hospital room after a horibbly hard labor, if the balloon the clown gave me did not explode, I will have keep it until now. He had no idea how he made that day so much better for us 🙂

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