Clowns help patients see the funny side of life

Thomas Petschner and Louise Kerr (R) visit patient Shaza Smith. Photo / Simon Baker

If laughter really is the best medicine, then an unconventional new workforce doing the hospital round might be just what the doctor ordered.

Clown doctors yesterday visited the childrens' wards at Christchurch Hospital, and their Auckland counterparts hope to be putting smiles on the faces of patients in Starship and Middlemore Hospital before Christmas.

An established concept in Europe, similar to that portrayed in the film Patch Adams, the clown doctors come from clowning or performance backgrounds and get a crash course in the health basics before taking their own brand of humour on to the wards.

Experience in Europe had shown they were valuable in getting young patients to co-operate with doctors in unpleasant procedures.

"Once you start with your ... magic tricks or something, the kids are focused on your work and don't care about the injections," said Thomas Petschner, a Christchurch health scientist turned clown doctor.

Importantly, the scheme does not suck up any crucial health dollars, rather the clown doctors are paid out of a charitable trust.

Dr Petschner said the clown doctors were not like the "typical" American version of a clown, who wore huge shoes and masks, and did juggling.

"It is more acting between partners, we are always a couple, and what we try to establish there is a funny situation. We don't go there and say 'hey, we are funny because we have red noses on'.

"It's not just about kids, also parents and staff and everybody. It's about spreading a good atmosphere and laughter around."

The goal is for the clown doctors to visit hospitals three times a week.

Dr Petschner said numerous studies showed the health benefits of laughter.

During a visit at Christchurch Hospital yesterday, sick children got up to perform with the clown doctors.

"It was a really touching moment also for us."

The clown doctors also plan regular visits to geriatric and rehabilitation hospitals.

For more information or to donate money visit www.clowndoctors.org.nz