Lifelong Learning Course: Humor as a Communication Tool in Healthcare - Registration open!
Register for a free course developed by 5 European universities in collaboration with professional healthcare clowns and learn how to use humor effectively in healthcare and everyday interactions! A joint lifelong learning initiative by Comenius University Bratislava, University of Groningen, Uppsala University, University of Göttingen, University of Galway, ČERVENÝ NOS Clowndoctors (Slovakia), and hospital clowns of Uppsala, Clownjouren.
Humor matters. When used thoughtfully, it can strengthen communication, reduce stress, and build trust in healthcare and care-related settings.
Who can join?
Open to anyone aged 18 and over, including healthcare and social care professionals, caregivers, educators, students, and anyone interested in using humor effectively in various care settings, populations, healthcare interactions and everyday communication.
What will you learn?
By participating in this course, you will:
- Understand how humor influences communication, trust, and stress reduction in healthcare and everyday interactions
- Learn about the evidence-based psychological, physiological, cognitive, and social effects of humor
- Develop practical humor-based communication and coping strategies for patients, professionals, and self-care
- Apply creative communication techniques that foster imagination, collaboration, and positive interactions
- Adapt humor sensitively to diverse cultural, social, and individual contexts
- Reflect on the use of humor as both a professional skill and a form of self-care
Who will lead the course?
- Academic experts, medical students, and professional healthcare clowns
- The course is jointly developed by five ENLIGHT universities — Comenius University Bratislava, University of Groningen, Uppsala University, University of Goettingen, and University of Galway, in collaboration with Červený Nos Clowndoctors (Slovakia), and hospital clowns of Uppsala, Clownjouren (Sweden).
Registration
- Open: 2 February 2026
- Close: 31 March 2026
- Registration link: HERE
Course structure and credentials
The course consists of two parts: an online part and an on-site part. Participants may choose to attend one or both parts.
Participants who wish to obtain credentials (certification) for a given part must successfully complete the final assignment. All other participants are expected to attend the online sessions and/or on-site workshops and complete the preparatory work.
1. Online Part (2 ECTS / 50 hours total workload)
- Kick-off session (1 hour)
- Six live online sessions (2 hours each)
- Preparatory work (4 hours per session)
- Optional final assignment (14 working hours) required for micro-credential
2. On-site Part (25 hours total workload )
- Two practical workshops led by clown doctors (2 x 4hours)
- Preparatory work (3 hours)
- Optional final assignment (13 working hours) required for proof of competence
Course dates
- Online kick-off meeting: 8 April 2026 (18:00 – 19:00 CET)
- Online weekly sessions: 9 April – 21 May 2026 (18:00-20:00 CET)
- In-person workshops with clown doctors: 13 June 2026, Bratislava
Language
English
Contact
For any questions, please contact: