Sculpting- an experiential way of learning

Title: Sculpting- an experiential way of learning

Authors & affiliations: Helle Elisabeth Andersen & Kirsten Vendelbo Larsen, Senior Lecturers. Department of Nursing, Odense, University College Lillebaelt, Denmark. Mail:[email protected]

Abstract: Aim:To explore undergraduate nursing students’ experiences with sculpting as an experiential way of learning complex family dynamics in palliative care. Background: With inspiration from colleagues in London we decided to try sculpting as an innovative learning approach in our undergraduate nursing programme. The focus is on how undergraduate nursing students learn about the needs of patients and their relatives, here related to palliative care. Sculpting has its roots as a therapeutic technique used predominantly in the field of family therapy. The principle of sculpting with people is to represent complex family dynamics visually. The involvement of students in sculpting can be very emotionally intense. Methods: An evaluation tool was designed as an open-ended questionnaire. During autumn 2012 and spring 2013, 114 undergraduate nursing students were enrolled in the study. Findings: Sculpting seems to be a good way to learn about complex family dynamics in palliative care. Nursing students find that sculpting is:•An eye-opener (89%)•Of great value in their future nursing profession (96%)•Not too emotionally intense (91 %)•A great tool that fosters good reflections•A good way to challenge underlying assumptions •An interesting way to link theory and practice. Conclusion: Sculpting seems to be a powerful learning tool to develop individual growth, empathy and understanding of complex family dynamics, here in the context of palliative care.