Teddy Bear Hospital: Overcoming childhood fears through play!

Teddy Bear Hospital: Overcoming childhood fears through play!

On May 12, 2025, the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg held a special event to reduce children's fear of doctors and hospitals. As part of this project, the Teddy Bear Hospital, small patients were able to immerse themselves in a child-friendly medical world together with their cuddly toys.

The Teddy Bear Hospital is an international charity project initiated by the International Federation of Medical Student’s Associations (IFMSA). The aim is to playfully take away the fear of medical institutions and the staff associated with them. The first teddy bear hospitals were launched in Scandinavia in the 1990s, followed by the first in Austria in 1997 and the first in Germany in 2000. The events are held in hospitals, shopping centers and event halls in various countries.

Unique concept with volunteer support

The Teddy Bear Hospital is run in Germany by the Federal Representation of Medical Students in Germany (bvmd) and is run by volunteer medical students. These dedicated helpers, mostly part of national IFMSA member organizations, act as “teddy doctors” to assist the little patients.

In some regions, such as Australia and Austria, trainees from other medical professions are also involved in the organization. The entire project is carried out on a voluntary basis and without payment and is financed by sponsors and supporters.

For children between three and eight years old

The target group of the Teddy Bear Hospital is primarily small children between the ages of three and six, and in some countries even up to the age of eight. In order for children to develop an idea of ​​“health and illness” before visiting the Teddy Bear Hospital, it is recommended that they come up with an illness or injury for their stuffed animal to be “cured” during the event.

The design of the teddy bear hospital follows a realistic hospital structure. Children accompany their cuddly toys as patients through the various wards, including patient registration, waiting room, emergency room, surgery, radiology, dental practice and pharmacy. All of this is done in a playful context and with the intention of reducing children's fear of hospitals and medical staff.

More than just a game

The teddy bear hospital not only offers an opportunity to learn how to deal with fears, but also uses the cuddly toy as a symbol of childhood. They serve as companions and conversation partners for the children and help them to process life events such as illness or abuse. This valuable initiative has become established worldwide and shows how important it is to offer children support in difficult times.

For more information about the Teddy Bear Hospital and its concept, those interested can take a look at Friedrich Alexander University throw up while laying out the basics of the project Wikipedia and further information Wikimedia be explained.