Medical students: Visitors to Dublin's Mansion House this week be warned. The Lord Mayor's residence is to undergo a mini transformation and become a hospital for a day... for teddy-bears.
More than 300 young children from the capital will present their "sick" teddies for medical examination in the historic building's Oak Room on Friday (May 6th). The teddies will be treated by some 55 medical students from the Royal College of Surgeons, Trinity College and University College Dublin.
The event is being organised by the International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA), Ireland and the purpose of it all is to allow children explore their thoughts and fears about doctors and hospitals in a playful manner and in a fun setting.
IFMSA has been around for several years but the Ireland branch was set up only last year. The international organisation works to promote medical education, increase students' awareness and further students' development through community initiatives such as this one.
The "Teddy-bear Hospital" has been successfully run in countries around the world for several years. It was first run here last year and was tremendously successful, according to Kristal Crawford, project co-ordinator and Patch leader (Promoting Awareness Through Community Health).
She wrote to the principals of all the primary schools in Dublin and invited their 4 to 8-year-old pupils to the event. The response was very positive and many who couldn't make it this year because of mid-term break are already booked for next year.
The children absolutely loved it. The project is also set to run in Galway this year and next, eventually involving all medical schools in the Republic.
Are children generally fearful of doctors and hospitals? Many of them are, according to Ms Crawford, a 23-year-old Canadian studying medicine in the Royal College of Surgeons since 2002. "The fear may stem from when they got their jabs (inoculations), or a grandparent may have been sick in a hospital and died. Sometimes it can be simply that they are afraid of machines in hospitals," she noted.
The teddy doctors' station will be set up in the Oak Room of the Mansion House. Child and teddy will present with a medical complaint and the doctor will do a history and examination.
Teddy may then be taken to the X-ray department depending on the prognosis and/or the pharmacy which will be stocked up with chocolate bars, colouring books and crayons.
A play specialist will have a corner of the room set up to entertain the children. A number of people in costumes will also be on hand along with a crew member from the ambulance and fire brigade. All in all 75 people (including the 55 medical students/teddy doctors) are involved in the event.
IFMSA, Ireland represents all medical students in the State. In addition to promoting medical education, it provides medical students with opportunities to conduct research, go on affordable medical exchange, and organise projects and events serving and supporting national and international communities in various societies.
The organisation is contactable through Student Service offices in all medical colleges in the Republic of Ireland.
Funding for the Teddy Bear Hospital project was provided by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and the Medical Protection Society. IFMSA, Ireland, also contributed funds.