The Development of the 'Clown Course' Begins
How can humor transform healthcare interactions? Annelie Drakman, associate professor at the Department of Science and Ideas, and affiliated with the Centre for Medical Humanities (CMH), is collaborating with several European universities and Clown-partners to develop a new course titled “Humor as a Communication Tool in Healthcare.”
The course involves themes around how humor can enhance trust, reduce stress, and foster positive interactions in healthcare settings. It has a blended learning structure with online sessions as well as in-person workshops led by professional clown doctors, and will be organized twice: during March–May 2026 and March–May 2027.
Rather than treating humor as a lighthearted add-on, the course positions it as a vital communication tool grounded in research and practice. Participants will explore the psychological, physiological, cognitive, and social effects of humor in healthcare interactions, gaining insight into how humor can improve patient experiences and professional well-being. A key focus is adaptability: students will learn how to adapt humor techniques that to contextual, cultural and individual differences, making humor a tool for inclusion rather than misunderstanding. The course also emphasizes stress management, teaching humor-based coping strategies for healthcare professionals and techniques that enhance trust and reduce stress in patient interactions.
The project is part of ENLIGHT
The course is developed with support from the ENLIGHT-network. Partners in the project are, apart from Uppsala University also: Comenius University Bratislava, University of Galway, University Groningen, University, Goettingen, and the Clown organizations Červený Nos Clowndoctors, Teddy Bear Hospital, Clowner utan gränser and Clownjouren