About Medical Play for Kids with Medical Fears
What is Medical Play
“Medical play” (sometimes called “therapeutic play”) refers to play activities in which children use real or pretend medical equipment, dolls, or role‐play to explore medical experiences (e.g. doctor visits, hospital stays, injections). In healthcare settings, it may be guided by a child life specialist, psychologist, or another trained professional. Parents and caregivers can also help facilitate medical play, especially if their child shows an interest.
The goals include:
- Helping a child become familiar with medical tools or procedures (so less fear of the unknown)
- Giving a child a chance to express feelings about medical experiences (fear, anger, confusion)
- Allowing some sense of control or mastery (acting out being the doctor, choosing roles, etc.)
- Providing emotional support in the midst of medical play, and addressing questions or beliefs if needed.
What the Research Supports
Therapeutic / medical play interventions may help a child with their expression and regulation of emotions around medical fears, and help them better understand medical procedures that are scary or unfamiliar. Remember that “helping with” is different from “solving” any concerns. Medical play can be an integral part of a larger therapy approach.
Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi‐experimental studies have been summarized in a systematic review of therapeutic play in hospitalized children (14 studies, ~856 children). Here is what they reported:
Lower anxiety, fear around medical procedures or hospitalization
Lower postoperative pain or distress
Cooperation during medical procedures
Positive relationships with health staff / trusting interactions
What We Don’t Know
There’s no strong evidence that medical play alone changes long‐term emotional regulation or prevents psychological disorders (e.g. medical trauma). Many studies focus on short‐term outcomes (e.g. anxiety before surgery, behavior during a procedure), not long‐term emotional trajectories, and their scientific methods so far make it difficult to make strong conclusions. For example:
- The evidence is mixed about how much of an effect there is: size of effect or impact on outcome, how many sessions are needed, how lasting the change is.
- The role of a individual differences (age, temperament, diagnosis, prior medical experiences) is under‐studied. What works for a 4‐year‐old may not work for a 10‐year‐old in the same way. What works for a child with mild fears may not work for a child with medical trauma.
- Details like who leads the play, how it’s structured (directive vs non‐directive), when it’s introduced, and how realistic or medically accurate the play is can matter, but we don’t always have clear data comparing these variables.
- Some studies have small sample sizes or are observational rather than randomized, which limits how confidently we can generalize the findings.
What Parents Can Expect
Given what we do know, here are some practical tips and realistic expectations for parents:
- Use medical play as one tool; don’t think of it as “therapy” on it’s own. It can help reduce fear, make certain procedures less intimidating, and help children express what they worry about. It should be part of a broader support plan (good communication, emotional support, and professional counseling if needed).
- Use it to prepare for medical appointments and reduce surprises. For example, before a hospital stay or procedure, letting children “try out” medical tools with dolls, or role‐playing what will happen. This helps them know what to expect. Medical play done pre‐procedure can reduce fears. Look for pictures or videos from your medical provider or institution.
- Be guided by your child’s age, temperament, and preferences. Let them choose roles if possible, allow them to explore, but don’t push them. Some children may prefer to observe, others to lead in the play. Try integrating their favorite toys. Also know that some children may not like medical play. Watch their behavioral signals to guide you.
- Have a trusted adult involved. Whether a parent, caregiver, or child life specialist, someone who can listen, validate, answer questions, and correct misconceptions.
- Use medical play to promote emotional expression. Since children sometimes cannot easily articulate fears or misunderstandings with words, letting them “play it out” helps. Watch what themes come up: what scares them, what’s confusing, what do they expect to happen.
Always remember that if your child is showing extreme fear towards medical care or specific procedures, professional support is recommended. Ask your medical team if you can work with a child life specialist, therapist, or psychologist. If they don’t have these resources, ask them for referrals in your community.
