Who doesn't remember a cuddly toy from childhood? When these favourites are damaged, the dismay is often great. Medical students at the university have now cured 200 cuddly patients in the "Teddy Bear Hospital" - and also relieved the child owners of their fear of visits to the doctor.
A total of 180 children from ten kindergarten groups alone had their cuddly toys treated at the "Teddy Bear Hospital" in the paediatric clinic at Oldenburg University Hospital. A further 20 sought medical advice from medical students at the university during open office hours.
"The children had the opportunity to experience from a safe distance that a visit to the doctor is nothing to be afraid of," says medical student Leona Buschmann, who organised the event with fellow students from the School V - School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
For the two days, they had set up a total of six "stations" in the paediatric clinic for the children to pass through: The cuddly toys were examined and treated in the consulting room. The teddy doctors also issued prescriptions that the children could redeem in the "pharmacy". There they received small gifts as a souvenir of the teddy bear hospital.
The cuddly toys were "x-rayed" in the x-ray room. The medical students also explained something about radiation protection to the children at this station. In the "operating theatre", the children were able to help relieve a teddy bear's pain with an operation. At the same time, they learnt about hygiene, the surgical procedure and the human body and its functions.
In addition to the clinical stations, the medical students had set up two other stations that focussed on prevention: at the "Fun and games" station, the children were able to indulge their urge to exercise. The nutrition station introduced the children to the topic of healthy eating. They were able to sort foods that are good or bad for the body.
The Teddy Bear Hospital project originated in Scandinavia in the 1990s. It is now offered in many German cities. This was the second time the programme was held in Oldenburg.
