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Using Theater as an Educational Tool for Understanding Medication Experiences from the Patient Perspective
Alina Cernasev1,2, Sonja Kuftinec3, Ryan Bortz2
1University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Pharmacy, Nashville, Tennessee.
American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education
|May 21, 2020
Summary
A play based on patient medication experiences effectively educated healthcare professionals. The performance highlighted patient barriers and factors influencing their medication experiences, improving understanding.
Area of Science:
- Health professions education
- Patient experience research
- Arts in medicine
Background:
- Understanding patient medication experiences is crucial for effective healthcare.
- Traditional educational methods may not fully capture the patient perspective.
- The role of arts in medical education is an emerging area of interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a play illustrating patients' medication experiences.
- To assess the play's effectiveness as an educational tool for healthcare professionals.
- To enhance healthcare professionals' empathy and understanding of the patient journey.
Main Methods:
- An award-winning playwright developed a script from 2,178 patient comments.
- The play, "Go Ask Alice," was performed in two Minnesota cities.
- Pre- and post-performance surveys and a 3-month follow-up survey were administered.
- Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive and thematic analyses.
Main Results:
- 225 individuals attended the performances, with 161 completing pre- and post-surveys.
- Follow-up surveys revealed two key themes: healthcare access barriers and medication experience contributors.
- The play successfully illuminated challenges faced by patients in their healthcare interactions.
Conclusions:
- Theatrical performance serves as a potent educational modality for understanding patient medication experiences.
- This innovative approach can bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients.
- Further exploration of arts-based interventions in health professions education is warranted.