Micro-credential: Humor as a Communication Tool in Healthcare

Description

Humor matters. When used thoughtfully, it can strengthen communication, reduce stress, and build trust in healthcare and care-related settings.

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 dynamic lifelong learning initiative within the ENLIGHT European University alliance, of which Ghent University is a proud member. This innovative micro-credential is collaboratively developed by Comenius University Bratislava, the University of Groningen, Uppsala University, the University of Göttingen, the University of Galway, ČERVENÝ NOS Clowndoctors (Slovakia), and the hospital clowns of Uppsala (Clownjouren), bringing together academic excellence and real-world expertise.

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).

Program

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

Remarks

• Registration link: HERE
• For any questions, please contact: enlight@uniba.sk; michaela.kosticova@fmed.uniba.sk