Chuckle power for doctors

KIRK HARGREAVES/ The Press

CURATIVE COMICS: Carrot the Clown and Dr Thomas Petschner raise smiles outside Christchurch Hospital.

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Laughter is the best medicine for Christchurch's new "clown doctors".

The comical health specialists, who help patients via humour, are due to start work in Christchurch Hospital in September.

Clown doctors already operate in clown-care programmes worldwide.

Christchurch-based doctor Thomas Petschner, who brought the idea to New Zealand, said the clowns' aim was "to increase the wellbeing of the patients and to restore the healthy powers in the sick person to aid their healing process".

The hunt was under way for Christchurch performing artists who could take on the paid clown doctor role, with auditions in August.

"These people will receive a comprehensive clowning training," Petschner said.

"They will also receive a training of a medical nature, which will give them the skills and knowledge to understand some of the complexities of illnesses and human behaviour the basis for the work in a hospital atmosphere.

"Only the clowns who have completed this training and are certified will have the opportunity to work in the hospital environment."

The first clown doctors would visit the hospital once a week for up to four hours.

However, Clown Doctors co-ordinator Rita Noetzel hoped the clowning hours would be extended.

"The extent and expansion of the clowning work will depend on the ongoing funding situation," she said. "Our goal is to do our work even on a daily basis."

Christchurch Hospital child health psychologist Tony White favoured the scheme.

"Resources that help the emotional side of health and caring for sick people are few and far between and are often considered a luxury," he said.

"This is a resource that was going to add to that, and no cost to the hospital."

The Clown Doctors New Zealand Charitable Trust will start work in Christchurch, but it is hoped the scheme will spread throughout the country.

For more information on Clown Doctors New Zealand or to apply to become a clown, email smile@clowndoctors.org.nz

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Deano S   #8   12:50 pm Jul 16 2009

Perhaps a compulsary viewing of 'IT' for all children going to hospital is in order too?

catie   #7   07:49 pm Jul 15 2009

Wonderful. Would be great in Wellington also.

Rach   #6   02:51 pm Jul 15 2009

@Rodger #5- surely the parents of these clown hating children would know their children hate clowns though, therefore can tell the clowns, nurses or what have you that this child doesnot like clowns. more thinking required on your part somehow.

I think its a good idea :D

Rodger   #5   11:10 am Jul 15 2009

I think you will find about 1 in 4 kids hate clowns,imagine being sick and annoyed and in some cases scared while stuck in your hospital bed----thanks to Gacy etc. clowns don't stand for fun anymore haven't done so for 20 years or more,I think more thought is required here.

Sasquatch   #4   10:09 am Jul 15 2009

Patch Adams ripoff huh,...sounds good :)

Melanie   #3   01:55 am Jul 15 2009

I remember being in Wellington Children's hospital in the mid 80s and we had a doctor that dressed up in crazy clothes also a nurse that at 6years old I thought was the funniest person on earth. It is a great idea. I loved it and my long stay in hospital was made as enjoyable as possible.

carly   #2   03:44 pm Jul 14 2009

what an awesome idea! Well done Dr Thomas! Society underestimates the power of laughter! All the best!

Kat   #1   02:45 pm Jul 14 2009

Oh my gosh that is so cool. I'd like to have a clown doctor. Awesome. being in hospital can be scary, esp. for kids, so I think that's a really nice way to add some humour to the situation and put people at ease. :)

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