CLOWN DOCTORS AND HOW THEY ARE TRAINED

1. Background

In line with its development and qualitiy objectives, the association has created a specific training structure to meet its needs. It has total control over this, but liaises with its well-known and highly respected training partners in the medical field.

In France, clown doctors receive their initial training in Le Havre, in partnership with the Mary Thieullent Institute for Medical Care Training.

Initial training for new clown doctors

The objective of this training is to give the artists selected by the association key knowledge for their work, in a hospital environment. The selection phase itself (questionnaire and interview) is followed by a theoretical and practical phase, which is given as 4 modules of four days each. This is followed by 4 visits to the hospital as an observer and 12 as a clown doctor trainee. During this last period, the trainee artist works under the supervision of a senior clown doctor.

Each stage is verified through an evaluation, which enables the association's management to finalise the selection of artists who are suited to helping them with their project.

Further training for clown doctors

Before they are taken on, those artists who are selected by the association have all undergone a rigorous training programme. This training will still be on-going throughout their activities. So three times a year, the global team meets for training sessions oon various subjects, be they artistic, care-related or medical.