Impacto das visitas dos doutores palhaços em crianças e adolescentes com cancro

: comparação entre faixas etárias e regimes de tratamento

Abstract

In 2021, 412 cases of pediatric cancer were diagnosed in Portugal. It is estimated that 80% survive the disease and treatment. Cancer has a physical and psychological impact, and there is a need to humanize pediatric services through fun activities such as visits from the Clown Doctors. The aim of the study was to understand how the visits of the Clown Doctors impact pediatric patients at the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Lisbon Francisco Gentil (IPO), comparing age groups and treatment regimens. The study included 60 participants receiving treatment at the Lisbon IPO between 2023 and 2024, aged between 7 and 18. This was a quantitative study in which the participants filled in the questionnaires in the research protocol before and after the visits by the Clown Doctors. Regarding the results of the study, when comparing age groups, there were no differences in the perception of the visits by the Clown Doctors. After the Clown Doctors' visits, the children showed a significantly greater reduction in their fear of being in hospital. There was also a significant difference between the age groups in terms of pain reduction. When comparing treatment regimens, there was a significant difference in the perception of visits from the Clown Doctors, with the outpatient regimen showing a more positive perception. There were no significant differences between the groups in the hospitalization experience. Finally, when it came to adaptation, the outpatients showed a greater reduction in fear after the Doctor Clowns' visits. In conclusion, this study made it possible to observe, albeit small, some differences between the age groups and treatment regimes.

Date of Award	27 Jun 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Bárbara Nazaré (Supervisor)