Drama classes help GPs handle difficult patients

A theatre company is using drama training to help doctors deal with challenging patients.

Hull Truck Theatre’s classes feature actors performing difficult GP consultations, with GPs giving feedback before taking over the consultation themselves.

The theatre recently won the Innovation Award at the Stage Awards for the programme.

Dr Eman Shamsaee, who has taken part in the training scheme, described it as a “really creative way of doing GP training”.

The programme, developed by the theatre’s creative learning team and piloted in partnership with a local NHS branch, uses drama techniques to improve communication, empathy and confidence in trainee GPs.

About 75 GPs are involved in the three-year programme and take part in two sessions each year.

The training is delivered in three stages.

First, GPs watch the scene and discuss the consultation. They then stop the play and give feedback. Lastly, they step in and handle the consultation themselves.

Shamsaee said: “It’s not something that you’re used to, especially because you’re so used to having that scientific, medical brain on.

“So switching off and doing something more fun, creative, was really good.”

Despite having described the training as “rather gruelling” and “very nerve-wracking”, Shamsaee said it was “really helpful”.

She said: “Putting yourself out there sometimes can be really good because it makes you try and put yourself in an area outside of your comfort zone.

“Then when you do actually receive that feedback, it’s honestly a really reflective but really good learning journey.”

Shamsaee added: “I’ve never learnt consultation theory as well as when you’re practicing it in that roleplay setting, that’s the best way of doing it.”

The scheme includes Forum Theatre, a type of theatre pioneered by Brazilian director Augusto Boal.

Forum Theatre was used as a political tool for change and featured spectators influencing and engaging with the performance.

Associate director Tom Saunders said: “The idea was they [the GPs] would work together… and solve it [the problem] through debate and play and curiosity which I think it’s why it’s such a good training tool.”

The Stage Awards celebrate British theatre and took place on 12 January at the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre.

Saunders said he believed the programme won the Innovation Award because the training and teaching was delivered in a different way.

“We’re convinced that theatre is an amazing tool for learning and actually seeing brilliant actors performing sort of scenes that are relevant to their lives,” he added.