What is Teddy Bear Hospital
Teddy Bear Hospital (TBH) is a well-established organization in the UK, Australia, and Europe, but none existed in the US. We are collaborating with national directors of TBH in the UK and with Teddy Bear Hospital Melbourne to become the first Teddy Bear Hospital in the United States.
Teddy Bear Hospital USA is an undergraduate-led organization working alongside medical students interested in Pediatrics, current UCI/CHOC Pediatric residents, and the local community to promote medical communication and reduce clinical anxiety in kids. Our events take place at elementary schools, where the kids act as parents who bring their “teddy bear kids” to different mock hospital booths. They treat their teddy bears, learn about patient care, and discover careers in medicine.
Mission Statement ฅʕ•ᴥ•ʔฅ
The program aims to provide children with positive health care experiences, promote health and well-being, encourage higher education, and increase health literacy in the community, while providing medical students and allied health students the opportunity to practice the skills necessary for successfully working with children.
How Teddy Bear Hospital works
Children bring a beloved teddy (or are loaned one) to the mock hospital. They act as the healthcare providers to participate in the check-up of their teddies, with the assistance of student volunteers. The check-ups engage children with concepts of health and well-being, improve health literacy, and encourage healthy habits, such as nutrition and exercise. The fun, relaxed atmosphere of Teddy Bear Hospital also allows children to interact with medicine and health care positively and ease any fears or anxieties they may have surrounding doctors visits, the hospital or medical procedures.
Teddy Bear Hospital also offers medical students and allied health students the opportunity to practice working with children and experience pediatric health care. Students practice important pediatric communication skills, such as building rapport and using child-friendly language. We also practice giving information and explaining concepts to participating children, who act as concerned teddy parents.
Teddy Bear Hospital USA 