nursing education
With my company Chimera, I design and deliver performance-based learning experiences for nursing students, supporting learning in non-technical (but very important!) skills relating to person-centred care, wellbeing, communication and reflection. These were orginally developed in 2016, in collaboration with nursing educators at Kingston University while making Careful (a performance about being a nurse) and since then over 2,000 nursing students have participated, giving positive feedback. Please scroll down or download our information pack to find out more about our workshops; screenings and digital resources.
The wider context
My approach to healthcare education builds on my experience as an associate artist on Performing Medicine (2015-16). Performing Medicine is an award-winning programme of arts-based healthcare education and one of the best practice case studies in the Creative Health report. Published in 2017 by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts and Health, the report recommends the inclusion of arts and creativity in medical education. A similar case is made in the World Health Organization's report on arts and health (2019). The value of performance in the specific context of nursing education is discussed by Jefferies et al (2021), who outline its role in promoting interpersonal skills, assisting students in understanding patient experience, developing professional identity of nursing students and enhancing communication skills, self-reflection and critical thinking.
In 2020, I convened two major events on performance-based healthcare education with Dr Sara Donetto (King's College London): Performance for Care mapped the field for educators in both healthcare and the arts; Performing for Real set performance-based approaches to healthcare in the context of simulation-based education. The event archives provide useful overviews of these fields.
information pack (coming soon)
workshops
We currently offer three workshops designed for nurses/students at different stages of professional development and linked to learning outcomes of the BSc degree (can be adapted for MSc). These have been developed and evaluated through our ongoing collaboration with Kingston University, where they have featured as part of the core curriculum since 2018. All workshops are facilitated by drama practitioners with experience of healthcare (our main facilitators are a former nurse and former doctor). They are suitable for groups of up to 25 and need a large open teaching open room with movable chairs and projection. These are our best value workshops (usually £400 per day/up to 3 workshops).
The Art of Communication
Non-verbal communication and whole body listening skills that enhance trust, care and sensitivity in interactions with patients.
Drama out of a Crisis
Tips and techiniques for staying calm and effective in high-pressured situation. Good to run alongside 'crash' simulations.
The Voice at the Back
This one is about speaking up, both literally and metaphorically. Voice skills to make yourself heard in noisy situations or when dealing with complex terminology; encouraging confidence and assertiveness.
I can also develop 'bespoke' workshops in partnership with educators around specific topics (eg we recently piloted a workshop on strong emotion in clinical encounters, with staff and students on the MSc Mental Health Nursing at King's College London). Please get in touch for free advice on whether your learning aims might be suitable for performance-based approach.
See below for screening (good for remote or in-person sessions) and digital resources
screening
Careful is a 40-minute performance about the emotional context of nursing. Based on interviews with nursing students about their placement experiences, it highlight five key factors that affect nurses' ability to care. We can screen a good-quality recording of the performance for students. An introduction and facilitated discussion prompt students to reflect on how to balance person-centred care and their own wellbeing in clinical contexts. The session can be delivered in person or online as a 90 or 120 minute session (usually £200 per screening)
see below for digital resources
digital resources
An alternative or follow-up to our Careful screening (see above). This pack guides students to watch Careful, then answer a series of reflective exercises about emotion, empathy and self-care. Clicking on the arrow icon takes them to information sheets, videos and podcasts and external sites such as the RCN guidances on self-care. Takes up to 3 hours to complete (25 click-through pages).
This pack offers strategies and tips for coping with unfamiliar situations and for managing uncertainty in clinical situations. It has been made by performing artists, based on the principle that some of the skills and strategies that performers use to prepare for a role, to manage emotions, to communicate and to improvise, can be translated into clinical settings. Includes links (18 pages)