For young patients, the big machines and fancy medical terms can make a hospital stay a scary experience.
But Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is turning the tables and putting patients in control with a program called group medical play.
"We invite kids from all over the hospital with different reasons for being here," said Child Life Specialist Phyllis Dotson. "I can see their confidence building when they get to know what a stethoscope is and what a blood pressure cuff does."
In group medical play, teddy bears are the patients, so patients and their siblings can be the doctors.
Caden Cox, 8, named his patient "Teddy the Bear" and gave him an IV in the same place where Caden had one.
"He had shots and every kind of stuff he needs," Caden told 11Alive's Jennifer Leslie.
"They go from a place of fear to mastery and control, which is really powerful for them," Dotson added.
Maylee Highland said her bear was scared of needles.
But everything changed after Maylee learned how to use them.
"We put the stick in first," she explained. "Then we put the tube on it, and then we put the sticker on top of it."
When their "appointment" is over, everyone just feels better.
Children's began group medical play about a year ago, and families have embraced the idea.
The young patients get together two to three times a month in the lobby of the Egleston campus.
