BY: RHODA WEISS
Ms. Weiss is a Santa Monica, CA–based health care consultant and speaker.
"Laughter is the best medicine" is more than a catchy phrase.
Clinical studies over the last 20 years have demonstrated that
humor plays an important role in healing. As a result, hospitals
and health care organizations are initiating a number of humor-related
programs. These range from "laughter channels" — a special in-house
patient television station that features 24-hour programming
of family-based comedy shows and entertainment — to visits by
clowns and other activities.
But one hospital has made humor part of its everyday offerings. In a groundbreaking
effort to use humor for the clinical benefit of its patients, Presbyterian Intercommunity
Hospital in Whittier, CA, has trained 25 clowns with the mission of putting
smiles on the faces of its patients.
The clowns, ranging in age from 11 to 83 years, have become popular with patients,
staff, and administrators. "We have discovered that clown therapy works," says
hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel F. Adams. "You can't help
but smile when you see them."
The idea for the "Caring Clowns" program began with three clowns visiting
children at the hospital. Soon the clowns were getting requests from family
members to visit their loved ones.
Adams and Chief Operating Officer Jim West saw the clown program as a natural
next step in innovative therapies to augment the facility's popular pet therapy
program.
"We were getting requests from across the hospital for our clowns, so we realized
that more clowns could bring more smiles for our patients," West says.
When it was decided to offer an eight-week, 16-hour clown academy, the response
was immediate. "We had 25 sign-ups the first week," says Public Relations Director
Wendy Flores. "The classes were so enjoyable that all 25 participants completed
the course and became accredited clowns."
Medical experts who believe laughter is good therapy have long asked for clowns
to cheer up patients. "Laughter helps tune up your immune system," says Lee
Berk, MD, assistant medical professor at University of California, Irvine. "The
more a person laughs, the more they strengthen their immune system."
Before they are sent in, the clowns have to observe basic guidelines. "In
a hospital, you take special care to respect patients' privacy and space," said
Paul Hammonds (whose clown name is "Dr. Strawbelly"). "You also forego the very
physical clown stuff because it can scare patients."
The clowns must ask permission before entering patient rooms, avoid touching
medical devices and monitors, and wash their hands after leaving each room.
Clowns have created their own costumes and taken names such as "Uncle Sammy,"
"Uh-Oh," "Winken, Blinken, & Nod," "BeaCuz," "Bubbles," and "Pinky." It
often takes an hour or more to apply their makeup and don their colorful costumes.
They typically spend several hours in the hospital cheering up patients, family
members, and staff.
Sharlene "Strawberry" Hammonds decided to become a clown after recovering
from paralysis. "I was paralyzed from the waist down and told it was unlikely
that I would walk again," she says. "I promised God that if I were given the
opportunity to walk I would help others as much as I could."
Sharlene did walk again and decided to give back by being a clown. "I have
always loved clowns, so my husband Paul and I joined the clown fraternity,"
she says.
After a visit from "Strawberry," a 72-year-old patient said, "I can't remember
the last time I felt so happy. When you are suffering from an illness, there's
not much to smile about. But these clowns are so wonderful that now I don't
mind being in the hospital."
New clown Roy "Uncle Sammy" Holgin is dressed like Uncle Sam. "After the death
of my wife, I wanted to help others get through similar tough times," he says.
"Patients are appreciative that someone spends a few moments with them...It
picks them up and makes them feel better."
Pam Ehlers, who has two clown alter egos ("BeaCuz" and "Uh-Oh"), says, "When
patients do not get visitors, it means a lot to them if we can put a smile on
their faces. Many people stop and ask us to go see a friend or family member.
These are often the patients who need us most, and we can make a difference
in just a few minutes. We always leave a balloon and a smile behind."
"This has been a huge plus for Presbyterian Hospital," Flores says. "Our clowns
are well known because of extensive press coverage, and we're receiving requests
for them from organizations from throughout southern California."
The clowns bring laughter from the Emergency to the Maternity Departments
but seem to have an especially poignant effect on patients with life-threatening
disease. On a recent visit to the hospital, a nurse flagged down "Uncle Sammy"
and asked him to spend a few minutes with an elderly woman who had an inoperable
brain tumor. "She has not smiled in months," the nurse told the clown. "She
just lies in bed and stares at the walls, never saying a word."
The clown approached the room and slowly walked inside, bowing and asking
if he could come in. The woman tilted her head slightly, looked at him silently,
and nodded yes. He began talking to her, and, against all odds, she began talking
back...and smiling!
"That is the special magic our clown program brings," Adams says. "Our clowns
were trained to provide comfort to our patients. And our patients and their
families are more comfortable here because of the spirit the clowns bring to
our hospital."