Teddy bear hospital, a pilot study in Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Teddy bear hospital is a public health project for children with an easy to apply experiential method. We performed this project in Mashhad, Iran as a pilot study to compare the feeling of preschool children when facing doctors and hospitals before and after the project. Medical students took part in conducting this project in Razavi hospital that included different sections. Pre/post design test, using picture questionnaires’ was performed. Data analysis showed significant improvement in children feeling when facing hospital but not significant about doctors. Notably more children could recognize commonly used medical instruments: stethoscope and otoscope after the project.