Abstract

This presentation focuses on a study which utilised Applied Drama to support health care professionals working in an acute medical ward in a hospital in Sweden. The study was part of a larger project, aiming to explore practices and experiences of transcultural care in a clinical environment. Several research approaches were used such as; ethnography, focus groups interviews and participant observation. Applied drama was introduced as a learning medium and participants were asked to explore caring issues, events and relationships through activities such as fictional role play. Applied drama was offered as a way for understanding to be constructed through active engagement and shared reflection. The challenge for the participants was to explore alternative interactions which may lead to a more positive outcome in the scenario as presented. The program was reported to be successful by participants who perceived that it facilitated the understanding of encounters between patients, relatives, physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to further improve communication and networks, and improving the quality of health care.

Bio

Margret Lepp is Professor and Director of Postgraduate Studies at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. She is the current president of the Tau Omega Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), Honor Society of Nursing in Gothenburg. She is the Editor of Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, a leading International Health Sciences Journal. Margret Lepp has an international reputation in drama in education and applied theatre in professional health care education where for over twenty years she has involved drama in her work as a researcher and consultant involving students, patients, nurses and teachers of nursing, as well as schoolteachers. She was a pioneer in the Swedish Health Care system advocating better understanding and quality services in the Health Care arena through utilising arts education practices in health care training and development. Her research includes drama for conflict management, reflective supervision and cultural understanding. She is co-editor of: Drama for Life. Stories of Adult Learning and Empowerment.