Want a LEGO MRI Scanner? LEGO is inviting radiology departments worldwide to apply!

February 23, 2022 | 12

Following a viral tweet and global attention earlier this year on special MRI Scanner kits, The LEGO Foundation, LEGO’s charity and not-for-profit arm has announced that it will be donating 600 LEGO MRI Scanner Kits to radiology departments worldwide.

Applications are now open for Radiology Departments at https://learningthroughplay.com/lego-mri-scanner-models

The LEGO MRI Scanner was developed with a child-centered focus and learning through play approach, which strengthens children’s skill development. The model is designed around the child’s MRI treatment, and is a means for clinicians to facilitate both role play and dialogue so that the child feels safe and can build confidence and resilience before the actual journey, in turn reducing stress and anxiety.

Play motivates the child’s natural curiosity and openness to try new, sometimes difficult, experiences. Because play facilitates a safe and comfortable “training space” for real-life events and consequences, it is a powerful way for children to develop their social and emotional skills. It can also be a part of a range of playful experiences that contribute to clinicians’ ambition of reducing the use of anesthesia.

Since the first prototype was made, the radiology department team at Odense University Hospital have used the LEGO MRI Scanners as part of their playful learning approach to help over 200 children aged four to nine annually.  

Previously, these were handed out in very limited quantities to Radiology Departments, and through Fairy Bricks, an amazing organisation that donates LEGO to sick children in hospitals.

REACHING MORE CHILDREN

Close to 100 hospitals across the world have already benefitted from the use of the LEGO MRI Scanner thanks to Erik and his heartfelt dedication. The project has been extremely well received and in order to create even bigger impact and better grasp of its potential, the LEGO Foundation is now scaling the project and encouraging hospitals from all over the world to apply for one of the 600 models currently available. Built by LEGO volunteers, the models will be shipped completely free of charge to hospitals. Once distributed, the LEGO Foundation will generate insights from participating hospitals to continue building evidence-based research and in turn guide potential future projects.

To best support the use of LEGO MRI Scanners, the LEGO Foundation has developed four training videos to accompany the model. These videos are designed to help medical staff guide children through the process of an MRI scan – and in turn, facilitate their social and emotional learning through play. The videos are available free of charge to any hospital wanting to learn more about the approach.

The LEGO Foundation will donate 600 models to the first 600 eligible applicants. Applicants must be based in a radiology department at a hospital, with an existing MRI scanning facility for use with children and adolescents. To access the request form visit: https://learningthroughplay.com/lego-mri-scanner-models.

If you know a radiologist or someone that works in a radiology department that specialises in kids or adolescents, feel free to share this article with them.

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