title: Medicine as a performing art: what we can learn about empathic communication from theater arts.
abstract: The authors describe how they came to the realization that theater arts techniques can be useful and effective tools for teaching interpersonal communication skills (ICS) in medical education. After recognizing the outstanding interpersonal skills demonstrated by two actors-turned-doctors, in 2010 the authors began to develop a technique called Facilitated Simulation Education and Evaluation (FSEE) to teach ICS. In FSEE, actors and residents are coached in empathic, and therefore effective, ICS using a novel technique based on lessons learned from theater arts education. Competence in ICS includes the ability to listen actively, observe acutely, and communicate clearly and compassionately, with the ultimate goal of improving medical outcomes. Resident, actor, and faculty perceptions after two years of experience with FSEE have been positive. After describing the FSEE approach, the authors suggest next steps for studying and expanding the role of theater arts in ICS training.
authors.affiliation: Ms. Eisenberg is a doctoral candidate in medical humanities, Drew University, Madison, New Jersey, and Medical Education Consultant, Meridian Health, Neptune, New Jersey. Dr. Rosenthal is associate dean for student affairs and career counseling and clinical professor of pediatrics, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Schlussel is research associate, Institute for Family Health, Residency Program in Family Medicine, Beth Israel Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eisenberg
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosenthal
authors.forename: Yvette R
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Schlussel
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003479:Curriculum; D004324:Drama; D004501:Education, Medical; D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations