Simple experiential activities adapted from theatre improvisation for healthcare audiences (i.e. Medical Improv) can be used to teach critical soft skills. They can also be incredibly powerful for promoting a sense of belonging and community among staff. Because they are based on a philosophy of “YES AND” they are inherently inclusive and relational.
Major Impact
Community and belonging improve things like morale, retention, resilience, and culture while reducing things like stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout.
Simple experiment
Here are 2 articles with instructions for experiential activities you can do with your staff. They are written for groups of 6-20 people or so. You’ll need about 30 minutes to read about and then do either of these activities with your team. If your group is bigger and you want to brainstorm adapting, reach out to me: beth@bethboynton.com.
While I can not guarantee what results you will have and emphasize the importance of following facilitation tips in both, I can say that I do variations of both of these activities in almost every workshop I do. And I do them because they provide very positive social experiences.
If you’d rather experience them first, please join me in one of these two, free, online events.
An Ounce of Burnout Prevention: 3 activities for promoting connection, communication & community among nursing students (this is a webinar for Nursing Faculty and Educators).
November 5th
1 – 2 pm EST
Registration
“YES AND” 101 for Healthcare & Mental Health Care Visionaries
November 15th
1-2:30 pm EST
Registration
Also, as I was writing this article, I discovered an article by Quint Studer on LinkedIn called, “There is Great Power in the Word Family“. He describes a process he uses with his staff which seems also quite powerful!
Lastly, “The Medical Improv Toolkit”
And if the idea of integrating simple improv activities into your team meetings, orientation programs, clinical inservices or other gatherings, be sure to check out my new book.
The Medical Improv Toolkit
10 Simple Activities to Promote Safe Care, Healthy Workplaces, & Rewarding Careers.
Available in paperback or hyperlinked PDF.
