Medical clowning in a maximum secure forensic unit in a mental health center: Impressions of the caregiving staff (brief report)

Despite the extensive literature on medical clowning among children and in general hospitals, literature on staff impressions of medical clowning in psychiatric hospitals is scarce, and in maximum secure units it is virtually nonexistent. The authors conducted a survey among the medical, nursing and paramedical staff in order to assess how they evaluated the impact of medical clowning on the unique clinical population in the forensic unit of Sha’ar Menashe Mental Health Center. Results showed that the staff felt that visits by clowns in the maximum secure units had a positive effect on the patients and contributed to improvement of the patients’ moods and ward atmosphere. Based on their evaluations, staffmembers recommended examining the possibility of more frequent clown visits.