An exercise in critical thinking using role playing

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Psychology
• Patient Experience Studies

Background:

• Developing critical thinking and empathy is crucial for healthcare professionals.
• Simulations offer a practical approach to understanding complex health conditions like diabetes mellitus.
• Patient-centered care requires understanding the lived experience of illness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a role-playing simulation in developing critical thinking, knowledge, and skills related to diabetes mellitus.
• To foster empathy and awareness of the patient experience among students.
• To assess the application of critical thinking in managing diabetes-related scenarios.

Main Methods:

• A role-playing simulation was designed using diabetes mellitus as the case study.
• Students engaged in lifelike problem-solving within the simulation.
• Student learning and critical thinking development were documented through double-entry journals.

Main Results:

• The simulation successfully facilitated the development of critical thinking attitudes, knowledge, and skills.
• Participants demonstrated increased sensitivity and awareness regarding the experience of living with diabetes.
• Empathy toward individuals with diabetes was significantly generated through the simulation.

Conclusions:

• Role-playing simulations are an effective pedagogical tool for medical education.
• This approach enhances students' ability to think critically and empathetically about chronic diseases.
• The study highlights the value of experiential learning in preparing future healthcare providers.