Student campus at the University of Huddersfield Source: University of Huddersfield
A university in West Yorkshire has adopted a new way of learning which sees drama students acting out scenarios to help prepare mental health nursing students for future situations they may face in practice.
The collaboration project was introduced by the University of Huddersfield in part as a response to the coronavirus pandemic and has proved beneficial for both drama and nursing students alike.
“These sessions are a way to help address these issues, help the students, and ultimately help their patients
Clementinah Rooke
The students stepped into the shoes of patients, healthcare professionals and carers using a role-playing model called forum theatre , which encourages audience interaction and explores different options for dealing with a problem.
Nursing and drama students collaborate on a project to reap benefits for mental health patients
Nursing and drama students from across the University of Huddersfield are collaborating on a ground-breaking project where role-playing could reap benefits for mental health patients.
The students, from the Nursing (Mental Health) BSc and Drama BA courses, have worked on a range of scenarios involving patients, healthcare professionals and carers to help prepare the nursing students for situations they could encounter both during placements and after graduating.
The drama students have also learned about how to apply their acting skills in unexpected areas, and the hope is that like their nursing counterparts, this will help prepare them for their professional career.