In a groundbreaking collaboration between the UW School of Drama and UW Medicine’s Department of Neurology, drama students are taking on roles that push the boundaries of traditional performance. As part of immersive simulation training at Harborview Medical Center, students portray patients and family members in high-stakes medical scenarios designed to prepare neurology residents for real-life interactions.
This innovative partnership, recently featured in the University’s Perspectives publication, was spearheaded by Dr. Wolfgang Muhlhofer, associate professor and vice chair of education in Neurology, and Professor Scott Magelssen of the School of Drama, who developed a two-credit course to support the collaboration.
“Simulations are really important because they rehearse for real life,” says Magelssen. “They use the tools from theater and performance to create a world that is realistic enough that the training feels authentic.”
Muhlhofer, who directs the simulations and works closely with students to develop nuanced patient characters, adds that the collaboration has brought an unparalleled level of authenticity to medical training—and it's resonating deeply with both residents and students.
Read the full story below in Perspectives: