A Northern Portugal hospital’s simulation-based outreach engages nursery children in hands-on medical role-play and games to alleviate fear of healthcare encounters and improve attitudes toward treatment.
📊 Quick Facts
| Type | Interview |
| Author | Alexandre GAIN |
| Published | April 1, 2026 |
| Source | Visit Source |
| Location(s) | David Gaba Hospital |
🖼️ Illustrations
📝 Abstract
[Summary generated by AI] This video documents a hospital-based outreach in Northern Portugal designed to reduce young children’s fear of medical care. The person interviewed explains that since 2013, clinicians have hosted nursery groups for hands-on simulations in which children role‑play as clinicians, assisting in a mock leg‑wound procedure using gloves, bandages, and safe props. Complementary activities include a quiz, a treasure hunt to reinforce key concepts, and subsequent classroom artwork and discussions about coping strategies (closing eyes, looking away, crying) to normalize and manage fear. Resources comprise hospital space, doctors and nurses serving as facilitators, educational materials, reward badges, and coordination with local nurseries. Methods emphasize experiential learning, modeling, and positive reinforcement over didactic explanation, motivated by prior observations that a friendly, factual approach alone left many children wary of white coats. Reported outcomes include improved attitudes toward healthcare encounters—for example, less anxiety at dental visits and pride associated with earning behavior badges—and sustained engagement across repeated visits. The person interviewed notes strong demand and plans to scale the program to additional schools across the region, suggesting feasibility and perceived impact.