Physicians have a new tool when it comes to patient care and it was developed by comedians.
Improvisation is gaining steam throughout the healthcare education field, according to an article in the Atlantic.
Here's what you should know.
1. Although memorization and application of medical knowledge will always remain the most important aspect of any physician's job. Improvisation techniques are showing up throughout the field as a way to better relate to patients.
2. Traditional educators view deviation from standard patient interactions as unnecessarily risky. But the spontaneity and risk factor of practicing medicine is aligning itself with the improvisational world.
3. Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine offers a seminar class that utilizes improvisational theater practices to improve communication, cognition and teamwork. Assistant professor of medical education at Northwestern and Second City Theater faculty member Katie Watson said while every patient-physician interaction is structured, it is to a point improvised as well.
4. Ms. Watson teaches her medical students to use emotion. She said while most medical students have good interpersonal communication skills, medical school can make it difficult "to clearly articulate their own emotional point of view and accurately perceive that of others."
Through the use of improv, physicians can deviate from the structure to relate to the spontaneity.
More news related to practice management:
Trump or Hillary? The physicians have voted
Illinois Elks Children's Care sponsors free children's orthopedic clinic: 4 notes
Nearly 400 pharmaceutical, medical device companies make payments to physicians with disciplinary records: 5 key points