In this episode of Mindworks in Conversation, theatre veteran and SP educator Rik Walter explains how to move students away from robotic role-play and into authentic professional ownership. Rik reveals how theatrical techniques turn a nervous student into a confident clinician who can "own the room."
Medical students often treat the exam room like a test to pass, rather than a conversation to have. They hide behind the white coat, follow a checklist, and "interrogate" patients instead of connecting with them.
In this episode of Mindworks in Conversation, theatre veteran and SP educator Rik Walter explains how to move students away from robotic role-play and into authentic professional ownership. Rik reveals how theatrical techniques turn a nervous student into a confident clinician who can "own the room."
Why watch this conversation? Learn how to solve these common training problems:
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Problem: Students are too rigid and "in their heads." Solution: The "Dropping In" technique to move from a script to a real conversation.
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Problem: The white coat causes anxiety or a sense of "playing dress-up." Solution: Treating the white coat as a costume that grants professional authority and focus.
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Problem: Debriefing feels like a critical interrogation. Solution: The "Director’s Method"—using theatrical feedback to trigger student self-discovery.
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Problem: Clinical encounters feel "fake." Solution: Using the "Empathy Machine" of theater to create visceral, memorable learning milestones.
Who should watch this?
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Medical Educators and SP Trainers who are tired of seeing students perform "robotic" clinical encounters.
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Simulation Professionals looking for a pedagogical framework to improve student ownership and diagnostic curiosity.
