A pilot project with clowns in psychiatric clinics

Background. This project examines whether visits of specially trained clinic clowns, as established in pediatrics, would also be useful in psychiatry. Methods. We describe the effects of a 6-week phase with one clown visit per week in a ward for acutely ill geriatric patients. The patients and medical team were also questioned about their attitudes towards the clowns. Results. We found more positive attitudes in patients after this phase. Conclusions. We interpret this result as an indication of positive effects and sufficient reason to initiate similar projects in the future.