Teaching tools made by peers: a novel approach to medical preparation.

Materials created by patients who have undergone medical procedures and surgery are being used by the health team at Miller Children's Hospital to help prepare other children for their hospital experiences. The materials include booklets written by children about their tests and surgeries, drawings illustrating their hospital experiences, and photographs of treatment rooms and equipment. These booklets are compiled, along with supplies associated with the tests and surgeries, into attractively decorated boxes. Case studies have shown that the input from peers who have created the preparation materials is well received by patients and has added credibility to the teaching sessions. The creators of the preparation boxes have also benefitted by helping other children and by putting their own hospital experiences into perspective.