Session Coordinator: Martha Garcia

Health science education is constantly evolving, emphasizing not only clinical competence but also effective communication, ethical attitudes and empathetic skills. Although these competencies are made mandatory, often the mode of delivery is through conventional lectures or small group discussions. The main drawback in these types of teaching is the lack of participation and enthusiasm for students to learn. Thus, to enhance student participation and interest towards acquiring these skills of humanities, ARTification by introducing participatory theatres can provide an enriching experiential learning. This session aims to explore how participatory theatre, an unconventional yet potent pedagogical tool, can foster these vital attributes in students. By immersing health science educators in this interactive approach, they can adapt and integrate theatre techniques to create a holistic learning environment that prepares future health professionals to excel both socially and emotionally.

By the end of this focus session, the participants will be able to i) understand the principles of participatory theatre and its applicability in medical and health science education to enhance attitudes, empathy and communication skills, ii) recognize the potential benefits of incorporating participatory theatre techniques in medical and health science curricula, iii) design dynamic role-playing and simulation scenarios that reciprocate real-world medical interactions and challenges, iv) discuss strategies for debriefing and facilitating reflective discussions following participatory theatre activities, v) gain insights into conducting authentic assessments following participatory theatre activities in the form of Objective Structured Clinical or Practical Examination (OSCE/OSPE)and vi) formulate an action plan for integrating participatory theatre into existing medical education frameworks.