As the use of drama in the education of healthcare professionals becomes more widely accepted, its relationship to the more established practice of simulation based learning merits further examination. Though these two pedagogic approaches stem from different disciplinary contexts,the practices share core features.

Chiefly that they immerse participants in simulated situations, inviting them to experience, embody, and perform desirable behaviours. A particular benefit of both drama-based approaches and simulation is that they enhance awareness of and reflection on professional practices.

Mapping the overlaps and intersections between simulation and drama-based learning is of immediate relevance to healthcare professional educators and drama practitioners. Collaborations between these sectors are bringing new strategies and approaches to healthcare professional education and are to encompass a greater variety of learning approaches.

This event is for educators, practitioners, researchers, users of healthcare service sand students in healthcare and in drama who want to find out more about current and developing practice in the field. It features live and live streamed presentations and performances showcasing simulation and drama-based initiatives. This is the inaugural event of a working group dedicated to promoting the value of performance-based approaches to healthcare professional education.

Presenters include:

Dr Sara Donetto, Lecturer in Nursing, Kings College

Terry Firth, Senior Lecturer in Nursing, Kingston University

Dr Richard Kyle, Deputy Head of Research & Evaluation, Public Health Wales

Dr Catherine Mahoney, Lecturer in Nursing and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Edinburgh Napier University

Dr Alex Mermikides, Doctoral Programme Leader, Guildhall School of Music & Drama

Sally Richardson, Associate Professor in Simulated Learning and Clinical Skills, Kingston University

Karl Tizzard-Kleister, PhD researcher in Drama and Nursing at Ulster University and co-founder of Health Action Training Ltd.