Introduction to Teddy Bear Hospital PUGSOM

I don't even recall how it all started, it was that long ago, when an idea came by. Right at the get go, we were all very excited and we started planning for it, searching tirelessly for information and resources. It looked like a long shot, but with every discussion, it made us even more enthusiastic; every picture/videos we saw regarding it made us squeal with excitement and that kept our hopes and determination running. Unfortunately, we began to be tied up by other commitments, and although many efforts were made to make our dream a reality, there wasn't much success. It took a while before an opportune event came by, and we were given a new lease on life. This time, there was no stopping us, and it was not long before project Teddy Bear Hospital PUGSOM begun its operations.

Teddy Bear Hospital is a project initiated by the International Federal Medical Student Association (IFMSA) aimed at helping young children between ages of 3-7 to lose their fear towards doctors and hospital environments using simple role-play where a child brings his “sick” teddy (the patient) to see a teddy doctor (medical student). The child acts as the teddy’s parent and takes charge, making the decision to see a doctor. The ultimate aim is to help young children overcome their “White Coat Anxiety” in going and talking to the doctor.

Our objectives are simple:

• To help young children between ages of 3-7 years to decrease their fears of doctors and hospital environments.
• To educate young children in areas of healthcare and habits that lead to better health outcomes.
• To establish good rapport and communication routes between the children and the medical students.
• To give the children an inside look into the medical field.
• To support public health research, resulting in better health outcomes for the public.
• To promote healthy practice as well as to act upon and educate students about health inequalities in our local and global communities.

This may be the start of an endless but wonderful journey. We are hoping that this humble seed of ours may one day grow into a big, strong tree. We start off with a simple aim, which is to reach out to the children in our country and bring about the dissolution of the myth that hospitals are scary places. However, our long term goal is a bold one, and hopefully with everyone's support, we will achieve it one day; to become an established entity for young children to come and be educated as well as provide a platform for medical students to learn. I can now proudly announce that Teddy Bear Hospital PUGSOM is officially born!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead


For more information, please contact:
1. Yi Ying (yiying@perdanauniversity.edu.my)
2. Wei Quan (weiquan@perdanauniversity.edu.my)
3. Wanyi (wanyi@perdanauniversity.edu.my)
4. Jacklyn (xiangle@perdanauniversity.edu.my)
5. Jackie (huishein@perdanauniversity.edu.my)
6. Joyce (kheyin@perdanauniversity.edu.my)