Teddy Bear Clinic: An Integrative Review

Various interventions have sought to transform the interaction between children and the health care setting into a positive experience. Incorporating these interventions into clinical practice remains a challenge for providers. We described the existing literature on the Teddy Bear Clinic (TBC) with the view of identifying key components and the feasibility of its use for pediatric health providers. Four databases were screened following PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were using the words teddy bear or doll in the abstract and describing the TBC within the article. Twelve articles described details of TBC interventions, including their content, duration, team involved, and materials used. Children's drawings and questionnaires were used to assess outcomes. Literature shows that the TBC is a viable intervention for pediatric education that benefits children and professional learning and requires team organization and training for implementation. Keywords: Teddy Bear Clinic, pediatrics, child, play, pediatric interventions.