Using Improv to Enhance Communication Skills Practice (SA520)

Abstract

•Recognize the commonalities of improvisation and healthcare communication and discuss ways these techniques are adaptable to different settings.•Experiment with variations in tone of voice, physicality, and word choices and reflect on the impact.•Restate frustrations as priorities and values. Have you been asked to give grand rounds on communication skills and want to incorporate a meaningful exercise to enhance your didactic? Have you been facilitating communication skills training and feel bored with the current curriculum? Or maybe you are looking for a different perspective on the communication skills you are using. Many palliative care providers are not only relied upon for their excellent communication skills with patients, families and colleagues, they are asked to teach communication skills to others as well. Self and social awareness are valuable skills for identifying opportunities to find words that will resonate with patients in the present moment. However, as clinicians are being asked to do more with less and in shorter periods of time, opportunities for mindful, reflective practice can be harder to find. Idealized communication sessions that limit the number of participants and require hours of time are not always possible. Adapted improv techniques to practice communication skills, even in large group settings, allows for a safe and supportive environment that fosters participant spontaneity and honesty while raising awareness about what we communicate, whether it is intentional or not. In this session, presenters who are using improvisation in a variety of settings will quickly review the main tenants of improvisation and discuss how these tenants enhance clinical encounters and apply in healthcare communication. Participants will experience a selected group of improv exercises, discuss their relevance in communication skills training and hypothesize how these activities can be adapted to a variety of audiences. If you’ve been looking for ways to bring meaningful communication skills training to audiences from 10-1000 participants in a short amount of time, this session is for you. We promise that “being funny” is NOT a core tenant of improv and not required to attend this session.