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Open Access 01-12-2020 | Anxiety | Research article

Measuring patient experiences in a Children’s hospital with a medical clowning intervention: a case-control study

Authors: Nina Karisalmi, Katja Mäenpää, Johanna Kaipio, Pekka Lahdenne

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Because the healthcare sector is shifting to a customer-oriented approach, it is important to understand experiences of children as users of healthcare services. So far, studies that measure the influence of medical clowning on patient experiences are scarce. This study aims to measure experiences of children and their parents during day-surgery in hospital setting.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted in a large Finnish children’s hospital. Seventy children aged 4–17 years coming for a minor operative procedure including pre-operative cannula insertion prior to surgery were included. Thirty-eight children were exposed to the medical clowning intervention and 32 children (the reference group) did not receive exposure to medical clowning. A novel digital survey tool was used to measure patient experiences before and after the insertion of a venous cannula needed for anaesthesia. The children were asked about their emotions, anxiety levels, the pain from the cannula insertion and the best and worst things about the hospital. The parents were asked about their emotions, expectations and the fluency of the procedure and the hospital day.

Results

Before the procedure, 32% or 36% of the children in the intervention group and 44% or 28% of those in the reference group expressed positive or neutral emotions, respectively. After the procedure, 76% or 63% of children in the intervention group or reference group, respectively, expressed positive emotions. The intervention group rated the medical clowns as the best aspect of the hospital day. Both groups reported that the best aspects of the hospital day were related to the nurses and food and the worst were related to waiting and pain. Most commonly the parents felt uncertainty, anxiety or calmness before the procedure and relief afterwards. Their expectations towards the procedure related to its success and the certainty of the diagnosis.

Conclusions

The results show a trend towards more positive emotions in children with exposure to medical clowning. The digital survey tool was suitable for gathering information about the experiences of children and their parents. Information on emotions and expectations of children and parents during a procedure is useful when improving the quality of healthcare services.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials NCT04312217, date of registration 17.03.2020.

Retrospectively registered.

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Title: Measuring patient experiences in a Children’s hospital with a medical clowning intervention: a case-control study
Authors: Nina Karisalmi
Katja Mäenpää
Johanna Kaipio
Pekka Lahdenne
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Anxiety
Published in: BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05128-2

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Measuring patient experiences in a Children’s hospital with a medical clowning intervention: a case-control study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Trial registration

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