Enhancing Doctors and Healthcare Professionals Patient-care Role through Actor-training: Workshop Participants’ Responses

Abstract

Workshops for 'Applying Techniques from Actor-training to Performativity of Doctors and Healthcare Practitioners' were held in 2013 and 2014 within Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. We conclude from participants’ responses that the workshops were well received and that there were revelations in understanding and potential changes in approach to “acting in the role” of a doctor, nurse and other healthcare worker. Participants understood that acting is not about hiding but about playing one’s role more effectively. Actors are superbly trained in the nuances of observation, body awareness, and in relating effectively to others. This goes beyond mere role-playing and communication training to encompass an embodied understanding that may enable trainees to be more creative and genuine within themselves, and more effective with patients and other staff.