Teddy Clinic Helps Children Overcome Their Fear of Medical Examinations

Unfamiliar equipment, people in lab coats, unfamiliar smells: for many children, a doctor's surgery or hospital is an intimidating place. To turn uncertainty into curiosity, students at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) opened the doors of the Teddy Clinic again today. More than 150 children brought their stuffed animals and helped to treat them themselves.

Playfully through everyday hospital life

They guided their rabbits, raccoons and monkeys through registration, examinations, the X-ray machine, operating theatre and aftercare. In radiology, they analysed X-ray images of their cuddly toys, in surgery they helped to splint injured paws, and at the operating table they were even allowed to assist themselves with face masks and caps.

Dentistry and psychology students were also part of the Teddy Clinic. In the dental ward, the three to six-year-olds practised how to brush their teeth properly with the help of a large stuffed horse animal. At the psychology station, the children learnt to recognise and express feelings such as fear, happiness or sadness using various teddies and symbol cards. Another highlight was the ambulance of the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Kreisverband Witten e.V., which the children were able to explore from the inside.

Teddy hospital as an experience for children and students

"It's always impressive how accurately the children describe the illnesses of their cuddly toys," says medical student Lisa Riggio, who helped organise the event. At the same time, the Teddy Clinic is also an important opportunity for the students: "We learn to communicate with small children at eye level and gain valuable experience for our future careers."