The theatre curtains draw to a close and the young medical students stand in silence, hands at their sides. The feat they have just undertaken was both challenging and exhilarating. As one of the young trainees wipes a drop of sweat from his brow, the audience erupts in applause…for it is not a surgical theatre these students are standing in.
For over a decade, UBC students in both the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry have been participating in MedPlay. The annual production is a tradition amongst the students, who enjoy the creativity and time away from their studies. For Amanda Dancsok, a MD/PhD student, this is the third year she has participated in MedPlay. Previously, she starred in the shows and this year she has taken on a producing role. Amanda explains how MedPlay has enhanced her experience of medical school.
Amanda Dancsok
“You get to use a different part of your brain – instead of studying and using your scientific mind, you get to be creative and express yourself,” she explains. “It helps you have more empathy because when you are acting, your job is to imagine how someone else would feel about something and that’s exactly the same as we do every day in our interactions with patients – trying to put ourselves in their shoes.”
Amanda is correct in her assumption that embracing creativity will enhance her emotional development as a physician. Studies show that medical students need more training in “cognitive empathy”—an understanding of experiences, concerns, and perspectives of the patient and the ability to communicate that understanding. A connection to the arts can ultimately contribute to one’s excellence as a medical professional, providing a greater understanding of humanity, in general.
With 100% of the proceeds for MedPlay going to charity, this couldn’t be truer. The production is supporting a very worthy initiative this year. Since 1986, Hope Air has been arranging free flights to get financially-disadvantaged Canadians to the healthcare they need. It is the only registered, national charity that provides free flights to people who cannot afford the cost of an airline ticket to get to medical expertise or specialized medical technologies that usually exist only in larger urban centres.
For Amanda, MedPlay has provided a way to stay in touch with her creative side – something that can be a struggle for students immersed in a scientific life of medicine. She says she would encourage every new UBC medical student to consider participating in the production.
“You don’t just come to medical school to learn about medicine,” says Amanda. “You are developing yourself and Med Play certainly helps you to become that multifaceted, empathetic, diversified person.”
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This year’s play, “God of Carnage” was written by Yasmina Reza. It is about two sets of parents, one of whose child has hurt the other at a public park. The foursome meets to discuss the matter in a civilized fashion. However, as the evening goes on, the parents become increasingly childish, resulting in the evening devolving into chaos.
You can catch a showing of “God of Carnage” at the William A. Webber Medical Student & Alumni Centre (2750 Heather Street) beginning February 13th. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door or by emailing MedPlay2016@gmail.com.
Performance Dates:
February 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 at 8 PM. Doors open at 7 PM.