Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Using medical improvisation to explore the role of everyday objects in patient-clinician communication
Lisa Erdman1, Cheryl Dellasega1, Michael Green2
1Department of Humanities, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
Background:
Non-verbal behaviors are a critical component of building therapeutic relationships between patients and clinicians, but there has been relatively little research on how to teach these skills.
Methods:
This study used improvisation methods including roleplay and storytelling to explore how objects and behaviors in the clinical environment impact on communication. Outcomes of the study were measured through standardized questions, responsive writing exercises, and focus group discussions. These were completed by a diverse group of twenty-two 4th-year medical students enrolled in a medical improv elective and analyzed by the investigators.
Results:
Participating students reported new insights on how inanimate objects and non-verbal behaviors could inhibit or enhance clinical communication. They also developed awareness of power dynamics inherent to the spatial design of objects within clinical exam rooms.
Conclusion:
Medical improv techniques can help educators teach relationship-building behaviors related to non-verbal, affective aspects of clinical interactions.
Related Concept Videos
Techniques of Therapeutic Communication II: Focusing, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
This therapeutic technique can also be used when a patient brings up pertinent information during a health-related conversation. The...
Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
Role of Communication in the Nursing Process II: Planning and Implementation
Therapeutic Communication
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Communication
Within...