Teddy bears aid mock medical consult

TUESDAY’s the day the teddy bears have their check-up.

Grampian’s Health’s online Teddy Bear Telehealth returned last week for the school holidays, led by medical students from Deakin University and the University of Melbourne.

Children and their teddies were invited to take part in mock online consultation sessions with the next generation of local doctors, to gain an understanding of medical scenarios in a fun and safe context.

Deakin University student Chia-Chen Cheng led the initiative, and said it provided an enjoyable way for kids to experience a doctor’s appointment in a non-physical setting.

“Over the past two years, we have all had to adapt to online services or learning at some stage during COVID,” she said.

“The Teddy Bear Telehealth Program is really a great way to introduce youngsters to how they can receive medical information online with the support of their parent.

“We also know how much children love playing with their teddy bears so it’s also a fun activity for children over the school holidays.”

The sessions were provided for children aged between five and 10, and through use of a teddy bear, they discussed medical ailments like soreness, unwellness, and visual symptoms.

Each session focused on a specific medical scenario, and Grampians Health’s co-head of paediatrics Dr Shabna Rajapaksa said the program is all about accessibility.

“We are finding patients who previously delayed face-to-face appointments due to hours of travel were much more likely to continue treatment and attend follow-up appointments as telehealth can be conducted anywhere,” she said.