While improv is commonly known as a theatrical medium for comedic entertainment, it can also be used as a teaching method. Improv revolves around communication in the moment that, when structured for education, can improve empathy, communication, collaboration, mindfulness, creative risk-taking and validation. For teams, it can build trust and resilience. VCUarts, in partnership with the VCU Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care, provides improv-based, experiential learning opportunities for health care practitioners and learners. In this session, the team that developed the course will share a few key improv principles that demonstrate the power of improv as a teaching strategy to promote acceptance, trust, teamwork and leadership in health care professionals and beyond.

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Elizabeth Byland, director of applied health improv and associate professor in the VCUarts' Department of Theatre moderates with panelists:

• Alan Dow, M.D. (M.S.H.A.’05/HP; H.S.’04/M) assistant vice president of health sciences for interprofessional education and collaborative care and president and CEO of UHS-PEP, VCU Health Continuing Education
• Cindee Rolston, Ph.D., director of inpatient rehabilitation psychology, assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and director of psychosocial services and interprofessional science at Sheltering Arms Institute