Ep73 I Improv in Medicine: Dr. Orlov on the Art of Communication

Dr. Nicola Orlov is a pediatric hospitalist with an interest in improving the sleep and health of hospitalized children. She is also an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Program Director for the Pediatric Residency Training Program, and Co-Clerkship Director for the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School Medicine. All of which require exceptional communication skills, do they not? After working with medical students, Dr. Orlov noticed that their training was excellent at teaching them about the medical interview, but that it left something to be desired in terms of the sort of improvisational communication skills that would prepare them for the unexpected and allow them to be more present with their patients. Thanks to a yes from The Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence, and a collaboration with The Second City, she was able to develop an innovative curriculum that uses improvisational theatre to work on just that. Join us as we discuss this research and her new elective at The University of Chicago. Our host, Katherine, may or may not have signed up for an improv class immediately after completing this interview. Episode produced by: Katherine Mott Episode recording date: 9/15/21 www.medicuspodcast.com | [email protected] | Donate: http://bit.ly/MedicusDonate