Medical students are using drama and performance art to help them tackle challenging situations.
The University of Sunderland is working with Operating Theatre, a North East theatre company, to provide students with a unique approach to medical education.
Operating Theatre specialises in creating bespoke theatrical experiences that aim to transform perceptions of health and wellbeing.
As part of their ethics training, second-year students at the university recently watched a performance of 'Billy Bean' by Operating Theatre.
The play follows the story of a new mother of a child with Down's syndrome, candidly discussing the birth and its impact on her life.
The performance also includes a 'hot seating' session, where students can question the character based on what they have seen and heard.
This helps to broaden their understanding of the medical facts involved in the situation, as well as the personal impact.
Arqam Al-Hadeed, a second-year medical student at the university, said: "The Operating Theatre session on Ethics, Genetics, and Disability was an incredibly powerful and thought-provoking experience.
"The drama, which followed a mother’s journey from receiving a Down’s syndrome diagnosis to making decisions and having her baby, highlighted the real-life complexities of these situations.
"It forced us to consider the ethical challenges involved and, importantly, how we as future doctors can communicate with empathy and sensitivity when supporting parents through such decisions.
"We are incredibly lucky to be part of a medical school that offers this unique approach to learning, as it allows us to engage with ethical dilemmas in a deeply immersive and impactful way.
"It truly enhances our understanding of patient care."
Operating Theatre was formed in 2001 to introduce drama into medical training and engage the public in discussions about health and wellbeing.
They work with everyone from medical school students to GPs and consultants, using live performance, film, and video.
Their plays cover issues such as obesity, anorexia nervosa, alcoholism, medical error, terminal illness, and patient safety.
The Sunderland medical school sessions are led by Operating Theatre’s artistic director, Alex Elliott, who also wrote and directed the play.
He said: "Operating Theatre has health and wellbeing at the very heart of its cultural mission.
"We create dramatic opportunities that allow for genuine debate.
"We bring together professionals and patients, innovators and practitioners.
"We ask challenging questions that affect us all and give a voice to those who are often least heard."
Dr Amy Cresswell, senior lecturer and medical ethics thread co-lead at the University of Sunderland’s School of Medicine, said: "I remember Operating Theatre performing during my own time at medical school and the great impact this had on me during my training, so it's brilliant to see this continue for the future generations of students at Sunderland.
"It's such a unique experience for the students and something which really engages them in what can be a difficult topic."
Professor Scott Wilkes, head of the School of Medicine and professor of general practice and primary care at the university, added: "It's great to see this being received so well by our students and it being firmly embedded into our curriculum.
"This is just another great example of the innovative medical education strategies that we employ at our medical school."
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