This program, originally inaugurated as a pilot project in 2022, has since evolved into a recognised component of pediatric emergency care. The Theodora Foundation’s «Emergency Giggles» program has been shown to engender valuable variety and provides today relief to emergency wards already in 9 Swiss hospitals.
The prevailing challenges in pediatric emergency departments, characterised by mounting pressures, heightened stress levels and protracted waiting times, are particularly pronounced during evening hours. The Theodora Foundation’s Trauma Doctors are a visiting service that operates on several evenings each week in emergency departments. The purpose of this service is to provide relief to children, parents and nursing staff. The presence of children has been shown to reduce the perceived waiting time, alleviate the anxiety experienced by families, and offer support to hospital staff.
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Relief in the Emergency Room – Surveys confirm the positive effects
Surveys demonstrate the positive efficacy of the treatment in question by means of statistical analysis of the results obtained from the emergency room. And those are truly impressive:
96% of the accompanying staff confirm that the presence of the Giggle Doctors reduces the children’s anxiety and stress. Furthermore, 98% of hospital staff members attest to the significant contribution of the Foundation’s artists in emergency operations.
The impact of the Giggle Doctors is evidently discernible, as evidenced by surveys conducted in multiple hospitals. The accompanying individuals reported a positive shift in their perception of waiting time due to the presence of the artists. It has been confirmed by members of the hospital staff that the program is beneficial in terms of creating a more relaxed atmosphere on the ward. This is due to the presence of the Giggle Doctors. Furthermore, a significant proportion of the medical personnel corroborated the assertion that the Giggle Doctors contribute to a reduction in the duration of interventions, a phenomenon attributable to the children’s increased composure.
“The demand for our evening visits is growing steadily. Our aim is to offer these visits in even more hospitals and more frequently in order to support as many children and their families as possible in difficult moments”says Patricia Bohle, Program Director.
Photo: Fondation Théodora / CH
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