Introducing clinical paediatrics to medical students: A novel hospital visitation programme involving Kindergarten children

Abstract

Background: Increasing numbers of medical students in Australia and shorter paediatric hospitalisations require new and creative ways to teach clinical paediatric medicine. At the University of New South Wales, Sydney, we developed a programme involving well Kindergarten children visiting Sydney Children's Hospital to introduce medical students to clinical paediatric medicine. Aim: The aim was to teach medical students how to engage children and gain their cooperation while performing paediatric examinations. Methods: Eight sessions were conducted involving 240 Kindergarten students from seven local primary schools and 217 medical students. School children were escorted by medical students t..