Healthcare clowning in a paediatric allergology department: perspectives of children, their parents, medical staff, and clown artists.

Abstract

Background: Invasive medical procedures can be distressing for child patients and their parents. This distress can reduce the cooperation with medical staff, making the treatments more difficult. This study examines how healthcare clowning affected children, their parents, and medical staff during procedures in paediatric allergology, and includes the perspectives of the clown artists on their work in this setting.

Methods: Ethnographic observations included 130 children (5-17 years old), 46 parents, 12 medical staff, and five clown artists. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with children, parents, and medical staff, while a focus group discussion was held with the clown artists. Data were analysed through qualitative content analysis.

Results: Healthcare clowning reduced anxiety and diverted attention from procedures among younger children, whereas older children engaged less with the clowns. Parents reported feeling calmer and experienced greater mutual support. Staff described smoother workflow and improved ability to focus on clinical tasks. Effective delivery relied on co-creation between artists and medical staff.

Conclusion: In paediatric allergology, healthcare clowning provides psychosocial support, particularly for younger children and parents, and can support the work of medical staff when integrated into clinical routines. Reduced engagement among older children underlines the importance of developing context- and age-sensitive models of clowning to maximise its benefits.