Using a Theatre Approach to Develop Professionalism in CLS Students

Abstract

An increased interest in professionalism is identified as an important topic for the future of healthcare. Educators have an obligation to promote and evaluate students' professional development as well as their knowledge and clinical skills. This study utilized a theatre approach, an innovative teaching strategy, to introduce essential attitudes and behaviors of professionalism to clinical laboratory science (CLS) students. Factors that guide professional behavior in the CLS profession were identified through focus groups of relevant stakeholders. A teaching module, consisting of six case scenarios mirroring real life situations in CLS, was developed based upon the identified professionalism factors. Trained actors produced and performed the scenarios, which incorporated both verbal and non-verbal forms of professional and unprofessional behaviors. Results indicate that a theatre approach is an effective teaching strategy to increase student awareness of professionalism.

ABBREVIATIONS: ABIM-American Board of Internal Medicine, APTA-American Physical Therapy Association, ASCP-American Society of Clinical Pathologists, CLS-Clinical Laboratory Science, CLSs-Clinical Laboratory Scientists, IRB-Institutional Review Board, NAACLS-National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science