Mayo Clinic Residents Used Teddy Bears to Normalize Care
Children in Rochester can practice using medical devices with specially equipped teddy bears to help ease anxiety.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Children’s Health
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Mayo Clinic pediatric residents have developed a therapeutic program using teddy bears outfitted with medical devices to support young patients. This initiative provides a hands-on tool for children to learn about their care routines while reducing self-consciousness.
Why it matters
The program helps mitigate the anxiety pediatric patients often face when managing complex equipment. By normalizing these devices through play, children can gain confidence in their care steps and reduce feelings of isolation.
The program, titled The Teddy Bear Clinic, utilized a $2,200 grant to equip 200 bears with realistic medical devices. The results of this intervention, which serves as a practical tool for both patient education and resident training, remain under evaluation for long-term impact.
The players
Mayo Clinic
A non-profit academic medical center that integrates clinical practice, education, and research across multiple specialties.
American Academy of Pediatrics
A professional association of pediatricians dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents.
The details
Medical residents and students fit the bears with devices such as tracheostomy tubes, gastronomy tubes, and pacemakers. These modified bears act as a bridge for children to practice necessary care steps, while also serving as models for residents to practice suturing techniques. Manufacturers provided many of the medical supplies used to outfit the bears.
Timeline
October 2026: The American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 National Conference was held.
Health Landscape
The Teddy Bear Clinic: A Therapeutic Play Intervention to Normalize Pediatric Medical Devices represents a growing focus on the psychological needs of children with chronic conditions. This approach follows a broader trend of integrating patient-centered play into pediatric care to improve clinical experiences.
If your child is managing complex medical devices, asking a pediatrician about therapeutic play interventions can be a helpful way to address procedural anxiety. Discussing these options with your care team may reveal new ways to help your child feel more comfortable and empowered with their medical equipment.
The takeaway
Using play to normalize medical equipment can significantly improve how children process and manage their own care. Consider discussing therapeutic play resources with your pediatric provider to help your child navigate medical treatments more confidently.
Further reading
For more information on supporting young patients, visit the Children’s Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medindia.
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