1. Use of interactive theater for faculty development in multicultural medical education.
- Author
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Kumagai AK, White CB, Ross PT, Purkiss JA, O'Neal CM, and Steiger JA
- Subjects
- Female, Focus Groups, Humans, Male, Program Evaluation, Sex Factors, Cultural Diversity, Drama, Education, Education, Medical, Faculty, Medical, Staff Development methods
- Abstract
Background: The development of critical consciousness, anchored in principles of social justice, is an essential component of medical education., Aim: In order to assist faculty instructors in facilitating small-group discussions on potentially contentious issues involving race, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic class, a faculty development workshop was created., Methods: The workshop used 'Forum Theater' techniques in which the audience was directly involved in determining the course of a simulated classroom discussion and conflict. We assessed the workshop's impact on the instructors' attitudes regarding facilitation of small-group discussions through two surveys: one to gauge immediate impressions, and another, 9-15 months later, to assess impact over time., Results: Immediately after the workshop, participants reported that the topics covered in the sketch and in the discussion were highly relevant. In the follow-up survey, the instructors agreed that the workshop had raised their awareness of the classroom experiences of minorities and women and had offered strategies for addressing destructive classroom dynamics. 72% reported that the workshop led to changes in their behavior as facilitators. Differences in responses according to gender were observed., Conclusions: A workshop using interactive theater was effective in training faculty to facilitate small-group discussions about multicultural issues. This approach emphasizes and models the need to foster critical consciousness in medical education.
- Published
- 2007
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