Science, ethics, and empathy in Pediatric Nursing brought to life with playback theatre

An interactive drama workshop titled “Science, Ethics, and Empathy in Nursing: Evidence-Based and Non-Evidence-Based Pediatric Nursing: A Professional Confrontation with Playback Theatre” was held by the Department of Nursing of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences and the Sector Collaborations Office, affiliated with the Career Center Directorate. In the workshop, prospective nurses experienced the differences between evidence-based scientific practices and traditional approaches in clinical applications through theatrical simulation method. 

The program, held at Üsküdar University NP Health Campus, was attended by Asst. Prof. Tuğba Karakuş Türker from the Department of Nursing, who moderated the event, Semra Gül, Assistant Manager of Sector Collaborations at the Career Center Directorate, trainers from Playback Theatre Turkey Academy and TİTESDER, Clinical Psychologist Deniz Sevimli, drama trainers Özlem K. Sevimli, Canan Mamak, Gözde Saraç, and numerous students.

Asst. Prof. Tuğba Karakuş Türker: “We bring scientific evidence to the clinic and the stage”

In her opening speech, Asst. Prof. Tuğba Karakuş Türker from the Department of Nursing, who emphasized the importance of accreditation standards and innovative methods in nursing education, stated that as a department, they are continuously raising the bar for quality. Türker said; “As the Department of Nursing, we registered our education quality by receiving our accreditation certificate last term. In our career events, we always operate with a ‘+1’ approach, presenting our students with contemporary and innovative models. Although today's work is centered on pediatric nursing, our main goal is to instill an awareness of an evidence-based approach that encompasses all professional life. From the first year, we always ask our students, ‘Where is the evidence for this?’, ‘Which scientific literature is it based on?’ Today, we are together implementing an interactive simulation where these abstract questions turn into concrete experiences, directly transforming into clinical practice and experience. We bring scientific evidence to the clinic and the stage.” 

Semra Gül: “We create a one-to-one simulation of real life”

Semra Gül, Assistant Manager of Sector Collaborations at the Career Center Directorate, reminded that healthcare professionals are stepping into a profession that involves direct contact with human lives, high responsibility, and stress. Gül said; “As the Career Center, we are always with our students through training and certification programs that will strengthen their professional equipment. Today, under the leadership of our instructor Tuğba and with the guidance of the Playback Theatre team, we are creating a one-to-one simulation of real life. We have established a very valuable experience area where our students will participate on stage without hesitation, with full transparency, and confront clinical stress.”

Clinical Psychologist Deniz Sevimli: “Participants' experiences will shape the process”

Clinical Psychologist Deniz Sevimli, who presented the process on behalf of Playback Theatre Turkey Academy, stated that participants would not be passive listeners, but rather the creators of the process themselves. Sevimli said; “We are here as four trainers. We have a framework for the flow and narrative, but the process will be entirely shaped by your reactions, instantaneous emotions, and shares. In this respect, we will experience a learning environment that is both entertaining and, at times, thought-provoking and tense, ultimately full of surprises based on direct experience.”

3 simultaneous workshop groups in 2 different venues…

Following the collective opening and theoretical briefing, participants were divided into three separate groups to enable active and one-to-one participation in the process: 
1. Group: Remained in classroom Z-21 and continued case dramatizations and playback theatre applications there. 

2. and 3. Groups: Moved to the Multi-Purpose Hall on the 1st floor of the campus and conducted simultaneous improvisation, role-playing, and clinical crisis management simulations in the independently divided areas of the hall.

At the practice stations, prospective nurses enacted the care processes frequently encountered in pediatric clinics, dramatizing the contrasts between evidence-based scientific protocols and hearsay traditional habits.

Outcomes and professional confrontation evaluated

Following the completion of the dramatizations, a joint evaluation and feedback session was held with the participation of all groups. 

Students and trainers who spoke during the session shared the awareness the workshop provided regarding professional empathy skills, decision-making processes in ethical dilemmas, managing clinical stress, and the direct impact of scientific evidence on patient care quality. Participants also stated that the concretization of information learned in theoretical courses through theatrical methods provided confidence in transitioning to professional life.

The program, which attracted great interest, concluded with a group photo session involving participants and trainers.