17 April 2025
Success story of the «Emergency Giggles» programme
What began as a pilot project in 2022 has now become a valued part of emergency care for children: The Theodora Foundation’s «Emergency Giggles» programme now brings valuable variety and relief to emergency wards in nine hospitals. The positive effects are impressive: 96% of the accompanying staff confirm that the presence of the Giggle Doctors reduces the children’s anxiety and stress. In addition, 98% of hospital staff state that the Foundation’s artists are a real support in emergency operations*.
The increasingly busy paediatric emergency departments are characterised by tension, stress and long waiting times, especially in the evenings. To bring relief to children, parents and nursing staff, the Theodora Foundation’s Trauma Doctors visit emergency departments several evenings a week. Their presence reduces the perceived waiting time, eases families’ anxiety and offers support to hospital staff
Relief in the emergency room – figures prove the effect
The effect of the Giggle Doctors is clearly noticeable, as surveys conducted in several hospitals show: of the accompanying persons stated that their perception of the waiting time had changed positively due to the presence of the artists. Hospital staff also confirmed the benefits of the programme: believe that the Giggle Doctors promote a more relaxed atmosphere on the ward. In addition, 80% of the medical staff confirmed that the Giggle Doctors shorten the duration of interventions because the children are calmer.
In addition to providing emotional relief, the Giggle Doctors also help children to cope with waiting times: 98% of medical staff that the Theodora artists help children to cope better with waiting times. In addition, their presence helps children to cope better with painful procedures: 89% of hospital staff and 92% of accompanying persons stated that our programme helps children to cope better with these situations.
The artists professionally trained by the Theodora Foundation are familiar with the hospital’s procedures and consistently ensure compliance with hygiene regulations. 94% of the hospital staff confirmed that the Giggle Doctors strictly adhere to these regulations.
The demand for our evening visits is growing steadily. Our aim is to offer these visits in even more hospitals and even more frequently in order to support as many children and their families as possible in difficult moments.
Expansion due to strong demand
Thanks to the extremely positive experience, 98% of the accompanying persons also wanted the support of the Giggle Doctors on their next emergency visit. Thanks to the excellent feedback from families and hospitals, the programme has been continuously expanded. “The demand for our evening visits is growing steadily. Our aim is to offer these visits in even more hospitals and even more frequently in order to support as many children and their families as possible in difficult moments,” says Patricia Bohle, programme manager at the Theodora Foundation
Long-term security through strong partnerships
The continuous expansion of “Traum im Notfall” is made possible by close cooperation with hospitals and the support of committed partners and donors of the Theodora Foundation. The non-profit organisation finances exclusively through donations and corporate partnerships, which means that the visits by the Giggle Doctors remain free of charge for the hospitals. The constant demand shows how important the programme is in the emergency care of children and underlines the importance of securing these valuable assignments in the long term.
*The above impact results are based on a survey in four hospitals on «Emergency Giggles». Ten closed questions and one open question were asked. The survey was conducted via an email link for hospital staff (N = 65) and via a postcard with a QR code for accompanying persons with children under the age of 12 (N = 156). The participating hospitals were the Aarau Cantonal Hospital, the Eastern Switzerland Children’s Hospital in St. Gallen, the Winterthur Cantonal Hospital and the hospital in Sion.
National presence of «Emergency Giggles»
The «Emergency Giggles» programme is currently offered in the following hospitals: Aarau Cantonal Hospital (AG), Lausanne Children’s Hospital (VD), Eastern Switzerland Children’s Hospital in St. Gallen (SG), Winterthur Cantonal Hospital (ZH), La Tour Hospital in Meyrin (GE), Inselspital Children’s Clinic in Bern (BE), Pourtalès Hospital in Neuchâtel (NE), Central Switzerland Children’s Hospital in Lucerne (LU) and Sion Hospital (VS).
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