Teddy clinic in Ulm: Children get to know the visit to the doctor in a playful way!

Teddy clinic in Ulm: Children get to know the visit to the doctor in a playful way!

Bürgerzentrum Eselsberg, 89081 Ulm, Deutschland - The Ulm Teddyklinik has reopened and offers a special opportunity for children to have their “sick” dolls and teddies examined. This initiative, which will take place on two days from June 3, aims to take the fear of medical examinations to the little patients. Students at the University of Ulm act as student "teddy docs" and help the children by playfully interact with cuddly toys and introducing medical processes. Children from the age of three are allowed to accompany their plush friends to the clinic, which promotes the reduction of fear of contact from medical treatments. The open consultation takes place in the Eselsberg community center from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., registration is not necessary.

With over 150 volunteer students who support the campaign, there are numerous interactive stations. There, for example, children can help with the “X -ray” of broken bones or determine the “blood group” of their cuddly toys. In the teddy clinic pharmacy, you can pick up "medication" such as "Smarticillin" or "Bonbonin", while during the dental examination you learn how important good tooth hygiene is. In one morning, only kindergartens from Ulm and Neu-Ulm are invited, while the open consultation hour is accessible to all children and parents.

about the teddy clinics in Germany

The idea of ​​the teddy clinic is not unique for Ulm. A similar concept is also pursued at the University of Würzburg. The teddy clinic there will take place from May 13th to 15th, 2024. As in Ulm, children are encouraged to examine and treat their sick cuddly toys. Students of human and dentistry as well as pharmacy, under the patronage of Professor Christoph Härtel, the director of the children's clinic of the FM are responsible. The aim of this campaign is to playfully take the fear of visiting the doctor and hospital stays.

The teddy clinic in Würzburg, which takes place in the courtyard of the former child nursing school, offers the children the opportunity to examine their playmates, take X -ray images, to create associations or even carry out small operations. The teddy parents receive nursing articles for at home after the treatment, and registration is not necessary here either. These events are important to strengthen the trust of children in medical care.

further developments

Another example is the teddy clinic in Gießen, a project of medical students from the Justus Liebig University. The focus is on the target group of preschool children and their families. The children experience various stations in the teddy clinic, where they themselves take on the role of "doctors" and treat their cuddly toys. The aim is to reduce fears before visiting the doctor and offer children a special experience.

The various teddy clinics in Germany show that the playful handling of medical topics not only helps children overcome their fears, but also a lot of fun. The extensive participation of students who are volunteers underlines the social value of such initiatives.