Edition: English | 中文简体 | 中文繁体 Монгол
Homepage > China Video

Students in Shanghai learn what it is like to be a doctor

Reporter: Song Wenjing 丨 CCTV.com

04-01-2016 07:02 BJT

Hospitals are scary places for many children, as the buildings are often crowded and filled with crying patients. In order to reduce the anxiety kids feel when they see a doctor, 20 primary school students spent a day learning what it is like to work in one of Shanghai's biggest pediatric hospitals.

The students spent the day at Fudan University Children's Hospital, with some learning what a pharmacist does every day. They learned about traditional Chinese medicine, and how to recognize medicinal herbs. Others went to the hospital's pathology department to watch researchers analyzing biological samples under a microscope.

"I seldom go to the hospital unless I'm really sick. To me it's a place full of bacteria. I've never thought of putting on a doctor's coat like this," said a boy named Jiang Juncheng.

"I learned a lot about cells today, like the difference between healthy cells and cancerous cells. Some of them are colorful, and that's amazing," said a girl named Li Wenjun.

Every three months a new group of 20 to 30 students between the ages of 8 and 12 years old will spend time at the hospital learning what different people do. Doctors say limited medical resources make it tough to pay enough attention to patient's psychological needs, and they hope the activity can help people better understand their jobs.

A medical museum will also be set up inside metro line 12's Gudai Road Station which sits right next to the hospital. It will open in December and simulate the environment in a hospital, with models of a CT scan machine, an X-ray machine, and an operating table. The station's corridor will be equipped with multimedia equipment teaching passengers about some common diseases.

"The museum will also be open for medical students with practical experience, especially those in nursing major. They will serve as volunteers and play interactive games with children. As doctors we need to put ourselves in patients' places. When disputes occur, our communication skills are also important," said Xu Hong, party secretary of Fudan University Children's Hospital.

Over the past year, pediatric hospitals in Shanghai have taken several steps to become more patient-friendly. They include changing decorations, inviting medical clowns to perform magic tricks and play games with children, putting on puppet shows and setting up libraries.

Follow us on

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Instagram

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Wechat