The School of Dental Medicine (SDM) recently held its semi-annual Faculty Development Retreat, featuring a session with the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University. This session was part of the Alda Healthcare Experience (AHE), focusing on interprofessional team communication, burnout correlates, medical improvisation methods, and initiatives to enhance team cohesion and resilience.
The AHE program emerges from collaboration between theater arts experts and healthcare workforce developers. It has been presented to healthcare professionals across various fields. SDM faculty engage in clinical care, education, and research missions requiring flexibility and adaptability.
Combining social science research, communication strategy, and improvisational techniques, AHE aims to develop communication skills essential for healthcare workers in complex networks. Delivered by an improv expert and an Alda-trained medical co-facilitator, this approach effectively improves interprofessional communication and reduces burnout.
Patrick Lloyd, DDS, dean of SDM stated: “The session was considered by many to be a highlight of our retreat... I was especially pleased to see people interacting with those outside of their respective departments.”
Dolores Cannella, PhD noted the faculty's engagement: “The session provided an opportunity for our faculty to reflect on and practice communication strategies within a supportive environment.”
Facilitators Susmita Pati, MD from Stony Brook Medicine and E-Beth Bojsza led the three-hour module that included role-play exercises. Dr. Pati remarked on participant enthusiasm: “We had very enthusiastic... participants for this [exercise].”
Dr. Pati emphasized developing greater communication skills amid rising stress in healthcare: “The AHE offers a way to build team cohesion... which provides immense value.”
Dean Lloyd shared his personal takeaway: “On a personal level... it’s always great to have a few extra approaches to making conversations more meaningful and productive.”