Dolls that cure

Dolls can not only entertain but also assist in treatment. It’s already engaging when a doctor comes in with a doll — but when they use it to explain medical procedures, the child feels much more secure.

Manikin dolls have been helping clinical psychologists at the Dmitriy Rogachev Federal Center for Onco-Hematology (FNKC) for several months now. Alina Khain, Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology at FNKC, explains why these dolls are helpful and how children interact with them.

"My colleagues and I — clinical psychologists — have always used games and toys to help our young patients cope with the psychological challenges of treatment. Our capabilities significantly expanded in the past few months thanks to the support of Podari.Life: we received a medical manikin doll. We’re excited to share our first impressions. We call them ‘first’ because the possibilities this tool offers seem endless.

First of all, everyone who sees a doctor carrying a giant doll smiles. One of the most important aspects of play — especially medical play — is positive emotion. Children find themselves in an unfamiliar and frightening environment when they enter the hospital. Everything that was comforting before — their home, their toys, their routines, and the people they love — is far away. The parent who stays with them is often overwhelmed and may not be emotionally able to play with the child.

So when a doctor enters with a doll, it’s a pleasant surprise. It helps break the ice, even with the shyest and most withdrawn children.

The manikin is an unusual tool — especially because of its size (about that of a one-year-old child) — and it immediately draws attention. Children want to touch it. On closer inspection, you’ll notice it has no hair and a catheter protruding from under its clothes. This allows us to explain a wide range of medical procedures — from catheter placement to bone marrow punctures.

But it’s also invaluable for helping children express themselves. It’s easier for them to relate to the doll, to share their worries through it. The doll’s changeable facial expressions make it possible for children to project their feelings onto it without fear.

Children often take on the role of a doctor or parent during play. This makes them feel safer. They become the ‘expert’ and regain a sense of control — something that’s often lost during illness. Allowing the child to choose how to play helps them restore a sense of agency. Play becomes a shared language between us and the child.

The manikin also helps us prepare children for difficult moments in treatment. Every child, no matter their age, needs to understand what’s happening to their body and what’s coming next. Play often helps us discover the source of a child’s fear.

Sometimes, children ask questions during play that they never ask directly — like why they got sick. Or we notice that a particular upcoming procedure is causing anxiety, and we use the doll to walk through it together. We study the procedure using the doll, explore different roles, and make the situation familiar and manageable. Together with the child, their parent, and the doll, we work through the psychological steps to reduce fear."

Dear friends, this miracle assistant doll became part of the FNKC team thanks to all of you. We’re so happy that it is now easier for children to talk about their illness — and that makes overcoming fear much easier.

Not only does it help doctors do their jobs more effectively, but it also brings comfort to families during the most difficult time of their lives.