Children at St. Joseph's Pose as Doctors for a Day

Doctors and nurses at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital handed over their white coats and stethoscopes to a group of special caregivers – hospitalized kids.

Becoming “Doctors for a Day,” pediatric patients switched roles with the caregivers and treated pretend illnesses and broken bones March 28.

Their patients were treated on gurneys positioned in the lobby of St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, which became a waiting room and clinical area for the afternoon. The young doctors even had the opportunity to give “shots” with needleless syringes.

"We want our patients to feel comfortable while staying at our hospital,” said St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital child life specialist Leslie Holley. “By allowing patients to play the part of the doctor, they may be less anxious about the procedures that will be performed on them at the hospital.” 

Holley and other child life specialists at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital coordinated the “Doctors for a Day” event to celebrate national Child Life Month.

Child life specialists use play, education and self-expression to help sick kids adjust to the hospital experience. From interactive story time to psychological preparation for surgery, and from holiday crafts to play with a special medical procedures doll, the Child Life Team helps patients view their illnesses and hospital stay as secondary to enjoying the thrills of a normal childhood.

For additional photos and more details, click here.

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