Using theatre to tackle weight stigma in primary care: a participatory study on empathy and professional awareness

Weight-related stigma can impair the doctor-patient relationship, reducing trust, empathy, and communication. Innovative approaches are needed to sensitise health professionals to its impact.

To co-design, implement, and evaluate a participatory theatre-based intervention aiming to raise awareness of weight stigma and strengthen empathy in primary care.

This participatory project unfolded in three stages within a French community health network (CPTS): (1) a systematic literature review on theatre-based interventions addressing healthcare relationships; (2) co-construction and local performance of a play grounded in lived experiences with patients and professionals; (3) quantitative evaluation of empathy using the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE), administered before, immediately after, and three months after the intervention.

The literature review identified 16 relevant studies, mostly showing short-term positive effects on empathy, attitudes, and communication skills. The co-developed play was performed in June 2024 and attended by 74 participants, including healthcare professionals (GPs, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, and allied health professionals) and community members with lived experience. Among the 63 professionals who completed the JSPE, scores increased from 111.36 at baseline to 118.66 immediately after the play (Δ +7.26; p=0.001), and remained elevated at 116.50 after three months (Δ +4.85; p=0.015). No significant differences were found by age, gender, or profession.

Participatory theatre appears to be an effective, transferable approach to raise awareness of weight stigma and foster empathy among primary care professionals. Effects were sustained at three months, supporting its potential as a tool for continuous professional development.