title: All the world's a stage: evaluating psychiatry role-play based learning for medical students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper describes an evaluation of an innovative approach, role-play based learning (RBL), as a vehicle for teaching psychiatry. The aim of this intervention, where medical students perform both doctor and patients roles, was to provide an interactive learning format that engaged students while developing clinical knowledge and communication skills in a structured, reflective environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were completed by 107 students from three clinical schools of the University of Melbourne. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and thematic content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Student evaluations of the RBL sessions were overwhelmingly positive. Respondents reported improvements in engagement, confidence and empathy, as well as in their learning, and that the sessions provided good preparation for internship as well as for exams.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RBL tutorial programme is unique and flexible and could readily be adapted for use in other specialty rotations. It is also timely, given the increased interest in simulation prompted by increasing pressure on training places across the health sciences in Australia.
authors.affiliation: Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Psychiatry Training Coordinator, Professorial Unit, The Melbourne ClinicHonorary Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Richmond, VIC, Australia jaking@unimelb.edu.au.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Honorary Fellow, School of Languages and Linguistics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaLecturer, Academic Language and Learning, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Consultant Psychiatrist, Albert Road Clinic and Melbourne Health Aged Persons' Mental Health Program, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gleason
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education*; D012381:Role Playing; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: health sciences education; medical education; medical student; role-play; simulation