Shaare Zedek Hosts Delegation to International Conference on Medical Clowning

This week, Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center hosted a delegation attending the International Conference on Medical Clowning.  The three day conference being held in Jerusalem attracted over 250 participants from around the world.  Largely recognized as an international leader in the field of medical clowning, Israeli physicians are increasingly acknowledging that clowns offer a direct contribution towards enhancing the prognosis of a patient.  In recent years, several scientific studies have been published on the topic, leading to a quick increase in the number of clowns seen in hospital wards.
Shaare Zedek’s Director General, Professor Jonathan Halevy saluted the conference which was being held in conjuction with the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Dream Doctors organization, which helps support much of the medical clowning activity around Israel. “I believe we can take great pride in our medical clowning program,” Professor Halevy said. “Our mission as a medical provider is to provide all our patients with the best and most comprehensive care possible and we sincerely believe that medical clowning enhances that level of care.”  Professor Halevy also singled out the generosity of Helen Abraham, who was visiting the hospital, for her establishment of the Lincoln David Abraham Paediatric Educational Institute. The Institute serves as the home for much of the clowning interaction with younger patients.

Professor Francis Mimouni, Director of Pediatrics at Shaare Zedek, held an impromptu jam session with the clowns, utilizing his talents on the guitar to express his appreciation.  “When a child is in the presence of a medical clown, he or she can completely forget the pain they are in – even if it’s momentary,” Professor Mimouni said.  “I therefore view it as a great privilege to be able to work hand in hand with the clowns.”
During their time at Shaare Zedek, the clown delegates who hailed from countries all over the globe including France, Scotland and Spain among others, visited the various medical departments around the hospital where medical clowning is most often practiced.  While children are the most common recipients of the “clowning treatment,” their work is often as appreciated by far older patients.  Scientific research has proven that the techniques employed by clowns can dramatically reduce tension in patients which can in turn provide better chances at healing that much more quickly.
In a round-table discussion amongst the clowns and Shaare Zedek pediatric neurologist Dr. Hila Pen Pazi, the clowns talked about the cultural differences that defined their particular experiences in clowning but said that the common denominator is their commitment to becoming partners in healing with the medical staff.
Professor Arthur Eidelman, previous Director of Pediatrics at Shaare Zedek who today volunteers with Dream Doctors as the Chairman of the Scientific Committee, stressed that clowns are an increasingly respected aspect of patient care, “There is a growing recognition that the work of clowns should be viewed as a real and proven specialty,” he said.  “It’s not just an issue of making a kid happy or laugh for a moment but the clowns play a critical role in the physicians provision of therapeutic care.”