Drama Pedagogy in Specialist Nursing Education in Care for Children – Learning about Conflict Management

Abstract

Knowledge of conflict management is necessary to avoid the negative impact conflicts can have on patients, relatives, students, healthcare staff, and healthcare organisations. This report examines the use of drama pedagogy to support student learning about conflict management in the specialist nursing programme with specialisation on health and medical care for children and adolescents. It integrates drama pedagogy, nursing, healthcare education, and healthcare sciences into the teaching to support student learning about conflict management. The report illustrates a teaching module on conflict management with drama pedagogy in the course Advanced assessment and nursing interventions in relation to illness in children and adolescents, (OM5510), 15 credits. This module is based on policy documents, research results involving drama exercises, Forum Play, and theories of conflict management from the international DRACON project (DRAma and CONflict resolution). The DRACON project has been developed and implemented in Australia, Malaysia, and Sweden. The course is offered in the specialist nursing programme once a year at the Institute of Health and Care Sciences at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. The report has been prepared for drama teachers and other teachers looking for knowledge about how drama pedagogy can be used at the master’s level, such as in specialist nursing education.