Accessible summary
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Psychodrama techniques are a valuable educational tool for increasing self-awareness in care settings. Psychodrama sessions can be useful in addressing one-to-one interactions and may help to explore unresolved problems in caring experiences.
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In a group counselling atmosphere, nurses are able to find role models and improve their attitude.
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In the future, research should be developed to evaluate the longitudinal effects of this kind of activity on patient–nurse interactions.
Abstract
The aim of this educational session was to form a group interaction model for improving the self-awareness of nurses via psychodrama. The structured group interaction session was conducted three times, with three separate groups, during the ‘Intensive Care Nursing’ training programme at a teaching hospital in Ankara. An assessment was made using the written records and observations of the group director and co-directors and feedback from nurses regarding the session. The nurses were highly motivated, adapting readily to the learning environment and following the instructions without difficulty. They were able to describe their personal experience with a specific patient and also to identify the fundamental emotion engendered by that interaction. Their feedback regarding the session was favourable. The psychodrama technique helped the nurses to understand themselves, to explore the perspective of others and to make the connection between their own thoughts/feelings and those of their patients. Psychodrama can be an effective teaching tool in addressing the communication issues that arise in nursing.