Preliminary finds of clown therapy in stress reduction for health care professionals: a pilot study

• Grant number: 11/19679-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2011
• End date: May 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Sandra Scivoletto
• Grantee: Erika Neves de Souza Moraes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: High levels of stress in health professional can be related to absenteeism at workplace and decreased productivity, besides impairment in quality of life and patients' dissatisfaction about the care received. Among the activities that intend to reduce these stress conditions, clown doctors has been spreading throughout the world in recent years and appears to be a good alternative to deal with the psychological demands of these professionals, also offering a healthier work environment. However, there are no studies in medical literature analyzing the effects of this intervention. Objectives: To evaluate the impact of clown doctors in levels of stress on professionals´ health, comparing with a control group (no intervention). Methods: This study will be conducted at the Cancer Institute of São Paulo (Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo). The initial sample will be compound of 13 nurses who will receive the intervention and 13 nurses in the control group; the sample can be extended if the statistical analysis shows significant results. Instruments will include the Perceived Stress Scale and Lipp Stress Symptoms Inventory, both validated in Portuguese, to assess the level of stress in both groups. Additional data will be collected, such as age, gender, marital status, years of work in that place and years of graduation conclusion, reducing potential biases of study. All these variables will be studied in the statistical analysis of mixed effects models. (AU)