G287(P) Children's fears of the hospital environment and the effectiveness of teddy bear hospital. (25th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Punjabi, N; Shahid, S; Dwaraknath, M; Khalid, H; Sahdev, N; Punjabi, K; Khalid, U; Sedgwick, P; Gour, A
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 105(2020)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A105
• Page End: A105
• Publication Date: 2020-10-25
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-rcpch.249
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : 4 Medical Statistics and Medical Education, Institute for Medical and Biomedical Education Aims: Children attending hospital have fears and concerns, often due to a lack of familiarity with the medical environment. Medical students are often unconfident when interacting with children. Poor communication can adversely affect patient care and patient experience. Teddy Bear Hospital (TBH) is an international scheme where medical students run interactive clinics teaching healthcare topics at local schools in south London. There is currently limited research on its effectiveness. This study aims to evaluate the effect of TBH on: Children's knowledge and anxiety regarding the medical environment in hospitals Medical students' confidence in interacting with children Methods: This prospective study was conducted over six months in 2018. Three questionnaires (designed with input from a Clinical Child Psychologist) were completed: Knowledge before and after clinic Matched Likert scales for 'worry' before and after clinic Volunteer questionnaire after clinic The McNemar-Bowker test of symmetry was used to test for change in the children's subjective feelings. Results: 153 children were encountered at 4 interactive clinics. Knowledge of all topics tested increased after the TBH clinic. Fewer children felt 'worried'/'very worried' after the clinic in all topics with the most significant decrease noted in going to the hospital (83.6%, P<0.05) ( table 1 ). All volunteers had increased confidence in interacting with children. Conclusion: TBH reduces children's fears while increasing their knowledge of the hospital medical environment and improving medical students' confidence in interacting with children. Adding a TBH clinic to the medical school curriculum may be a worthwhile consideration.