Doctors in drama at Hull Truck Theatre

Hull Truck's associate director for training, Tom Saunders, conducts a training session for medical staff

Hull Truck Theatre's drama-based project for training doctors has proved so successful it is being rolled out again.

Hull Truck’s creative learning team ran a three-year theatre and drama-based General Practitioner training programme, working with the regional NHS healthcare provider. The aim was to enhance the person-to-person skills at the heart of patient care. The training has provided opportunities for GPs to blend medical knowledge with communication skills, building confidence for complex consultations.

The project has been so successful it will run for another three-year cycle, enabling more GPs to practice critical thinking and decision-making.

The goal is to ensure GPs leave the training feeling more confident in their ability to solve problems and share professional experiences.

Tom Saunders, Hull Truck's associate director, said: “These sessions aren't designed to be taught, but are based on the idea that participants can solve their problems by working together.

"It’s been a fascinating insight into the way general practice works; we’ve been so impressed with how open and responsive the doctors have been to the training.”

Emma Harkin, a GP and GP-trainer for Hull and East Riding, said: "Communication is the greatest tool available to GPs. The sessions at the theatre have helped our trainees refine their ability to connect with patients."

Hull Truck's success with doctors has led to a diversification into other sectors, such as telecommunications, construction and retail, offering individually-tailored training to address specific industry challenges.

More info here