Teddy Bear Clinics
Broward County Library
Innovation Synopsis
Going to the doctor can be scary for children, especially if they don’t know what to expect. Broward County Library partnered with Broward Health Medical Center to host a Teddy Bear Clinic in both March 2023 and March 2024. Children ages 4-8 were invited to bring their own teddy bear, doll or stuffed animal and learn what happens at a hospital/doctor’s office visit. With the help of Broward Health Medical Center’s specially trained staff, children could explore the process of going to a doctor or hospital. They were given an overview of a typical healthcare setting and introduced to stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, syringes and other medical equipment they might encounter in a doctor's office or hospital. Attendees also enjoyed a short story time with guest readers from the medical profession. In 2023 and 2024, 277 children (and toys) attended the clinics, received certificates of good health and enjoyed a positive experience that replicated an actual doctor’s visit.
Challenge/Opportunity
In a 2018 University of Michigan study, half of parents surveyed said their preschoolers feared a visit to the doctor, one in 25 had postponed a vaccine due to their child’s fear and one in five said it was hard to concentrate during a visit due to their child’s distress. This can make health and wellness visits a challenging experience for everyone involved. Knowing in advance what’s going to happen during a medical visit gives children a sense of security and helps manage both expectations and anxiety. The Teddy Bear Clinics offered an opportunity for Broward County Library to work with a trusted community partner to offer parents and families an engaging, educational and free experience that helped alleviate fears and hopefully made medical visit a little less frightening for Teddy Bear Clinic participants.
Key Elements of Innovation
Teddy Bear Clinic events were presented in partnership with Broward Health Medical Center’s Child Life Program on March 23, 2023, and March 27, 2024, at Main Library. Children were encouraged to bring a favorite teddy bear, doll or stuffed animal to the Clinic. If they didn’t have one, they received a free teddy bear they could take home after the clinic. Each child could bring their toy “patient” to the following stations:
• Check In/Vital Signs
• Doctor’s Exam
• Immunizations
• Emergency Room and X-Rays
• Operating Room
• Dental Hygiene and Brushing
At each station, kids were encouraged to learn and explore as they performed play hospital procedures on their furry friends. Participants received a certificate of good health after completing the stations. There was a short story time featuring special guest readers, including Broward County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Rebecca MacDougall, and the first 100 kids received a free book.
Achieved Outcomes
Broward County Library transformed fear into familiarity through two Teddy Bear Clinic events. Partnering with Broward Health Medical Center, the library created supportive, hands-on hospital experiences for children ages 4-8. Guided by child life specialists, 277 children at two events in March 2023 and 2024 explored medical equipment and interacted with medical professionals, easing anxieties and hopefully making future doctor visits easier and less frightening. By offering a safe, educational and fun setting, Broward County Library helped empower young minds to navigate healthcare visits confidently and comfortably.
