THE teddy bears of the Nyah District Primary School have received a clean bill of health from the Teddy Bear Hospital clinicians.
Six Monash University fourth-year medical students undertaking their GP rotation at Swan Hill Primary Health visited Nyah District Primary School.
The sessions are aimed at dispelling any fears children may have associated with doctors or hospitals.
Olivia Putland, one of the students conducting the program, said the idea was to reduce “white coat anxiety” in kids, “making kids more comfortable going to their GPs and the hospital reducing any fears they may have around these visits”.
“We get them involved by playing lots of fun games, tell them about what we do as GPs, get them learning about the body, healthy eating and a variety of other health-related topics.
“I think that they like having young people coming to teach them so we generally get really good responses from the kids,” Ms Putland said.
Teacher Pam Paynter said the school tried to conduct the sessions yearly.
“It really depends on the availability of the student doctors.
“The program is really interactive and it’s all about creating that safe environment, that a doctor is someone that is there to help you.
“It’s all about building the relationship with the doctor so that they feel more comfortable when they go to the doctor.
“There are also benefits for the medical students as they gain some experience dealing with children.
“The program has been going for many years and I encourage all the primary schools in the area to utilise the student doctors, just by contacting the Swan Hill primary health clinic and organizing a date to attend the school,” Ms Paynter said.
