During their rural placement year, MDRS students connect with various community organisations including kindergartens with a Teddy Bear Hospital.
The Teddy Bear Hospital concept commenced in the Barossa in 2001 with two local kindergartens and over the past two years, has gained popularity with other regional kindergartens requesting the Teddy Bear Hospital visit their kindergarten.
This week it was held for the first time in the Riverland, with two Teddy Clinics held at Loxton Kindergarten over two days, and nearly 60 students brought their precious teddies (or other toys) to be examined and diagnosed by medical students Laura Schultz and Alice Quigley who are based at the Loxton Health Centre this year.
The aim is to familiarise children with health care environments and medical treatments in a fun and interactive way and overcome fears or anxieties children may have concerning the hospital or clinic environment and health professionals. The Teddy Bear Hospital program plays a crucial role for future young doctors in developing interactive skills, which are required to engage successfully with young children.
Prior to engaging one on one with the children and their toys, Alice and Laura spoke to the group about maintaining good health, the importance of a healthy diet, exercise, and hygiene. Students were attentive and keen to both ask questions and give examples of what they do to be healthy, including “I cleaned my teeth this morning”.
This session was followed by mock medical consult scenarios in which children (acting as doting parents), brought their beloved teddy or soft toy to the Teddy Bear Hospital for a check-up. The children were enthusiastic and excited, helping check their teddy’s hearts, ears, and eyes. Once a diagnosis was reached in consultation with the child the appropriate treatment, a band aid, splint, or bandage was applied. The child was given a Teddy Bear Health Certificate with the patient’s name, owner name, symptoms, and treatment, signed off by the student doctor. It was a joy to see the children interact so well.
MDRS students enjoyed the exercise and Alice said “It was a really enjoyable morning. The kids were so energetic and engaged. I enjoyed how elaborate some of the teddys injuries were. I hope we were able to alleviate some of the anxiety associated with visiting the doctor”.
Laura also commented saying “It was such a great morning, meeting all the kids and their teddy patients, I think we met some excellent doctors to be. We hope having a chance to introduce the children to medicine and doctors in a fun and relaxed way means their future experiences with us can be really positive ones.”
After the hospital session, children and students caught up again as a group for any questions and Alice and Laura were given a big thank you!!