Education Pathway
Sara Lauck, MD
Assistant Professor
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Stephanie Kukora, MD
Assistant Professor
Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics
University of Michigan
Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Brittany Batell, MPH MSW
Research Assistant
University of Michigan School of Medicine
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Erica Chou, MD
Assistant Professor
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
This video is unavailable at the request of one or more presenters.
The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a shift in teaching, meetings and clinical patient care to virtual platforms. Interacting through a screen creates many challenges, especially developing the feeling of connectedness. Medical improvisation (improv) is the adaptation of theater improvisation principles and skills to the healthcare setting. Three focal skills of medical improv include: 1. Attunement- awareness of oneself and others through being present and deep listening; 2. Affirmation- acknowledgement of what is being spoken, heard and perceived; and 3. Advancement- moving the conversation forward using spontaneity, creativity and clarity of thought and expression. This workshop aims to foster these skills, while considering how these skills must be thoughtfully adapted to improve connection when communicating across the virtual setting.
The workshop will begin with a brief introduction to medical improv and its applications to clinical care and education. We will discuss the basic rules of improv, including “yes and” and the concept that every word and nonverbal action that transpires is a “gift.” The bulk of the workshop will then focus on experiential learning in a series of interactive exercises, in both the large group and in small breakout rooms of 8-10 participants. These exercises will explore a variety of topics including attention, focus, flexibility, adaptability, nonverbal communication, expression of emotions and demonstration of status. Each exercise will be followed by a debrief session to encourage reflection on individuals’ attitudes, emotions and behaviors, as well as to discuss relevant connections of these skills to clinical practices interacting with patients and healthcare teams, and to our roles as educators interacting with a variety of learners through a virtual platform. At the conclusion of the exercises, the large group will reconvene for participants to discuss their take-aways from the workshop and ways to apply the skills learned to various aspects of their lives. The workshop will conclude with a brief narrative reflection activity. No acting or theater improv experience is expected or required.
This workshop has a limited capacity. Please register in advance by clicking the "register" button. Capacity permitting, your attendance will be approved and you will be sent a confirmation email that contains a link to join the workshop. Please note that your spot is not guaranteed until your registration is accepted and you receive a confirmation email which contains a link to join the workshop.
If you are no longer available to attend please cancel your registration, which can be done using the cancel link at the bottom of your confirmation email.