Evaluation of dental students' responses to roleplay videos in a professionalism course

This study aimed to evaluate dental students' perceptions of roleplay videos used in a professionalism course that was conducted over three years.

All third-year dental students (N = 310) who participated in a professionalism course over three years (2016/17-2018/19) were included in this cross-sectional study. Miller's framework for clinical competence was used for the student-generated videos, which included 1) knowledge, 2) observation, 3) simulation, and 4) experience. Every year, at the end of the course, the students provided their responses to the roleplay videos using a 25-item self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into four sections: 1) student preparations for video production, 2) skills developed through video production, 3) benefits of watching the videos, and 4) general aspects of the activity.

Most students agreed that video production led to them working as a team (76%) and understanding professional communication with colleagues (70%) and patients (66%). An improvement in problem-solving skills (67%) and project management skills (65%) was recognised by a majority of the students. Nearly three quarters of the students acknowledged that watching videos improved their professional behaviour towards the patients. Female students and those with high grades showed greater mean scores for most items (22 and 11 out of 25 items, respectively) with significant differences (p < 0.05).

In our study, the impact of roleplay videos was recognised by a majority of the students. Female students and those with high grades highly rated learning through this method of teaching. Video assignments should be a part of professionalism courses in dentistry to improve students' communication skills and professional behaviours with colleagues and patients.