Key Summary
- Reading University made films to teach pharmacy students inclusive patient care
- Real-life scenarios improved students’ communication and confidence
- Project gained positive feedback and national recognition
The University of Reading has come up with an innovative film-based teaching project to inculcate inclusivity among pharmacy students.
The films, shot by the students at the Department of Film, Theatre & Television, stresses on care for disabled patients, those from diverse cultural backgrounds, and other underserved groups.
The interdisciplinary partnership between the Department of Film, Theatre & Television with the School of Pharmacy is a part of the Disability History Month (20 November to 20 December).
The film students planned, scripted, filmed, and edited the project as part of their course, shooting the videos in the University’s Clinical Simulation Training Suite between December 2024 and January 2025.
The films effectively prepared the students to respond to non-verbal cues common during their practice, ensure better patient safety, improved communication and trust in healthcare settings.
The project created four short scenes showing real-life challenges in care, supporting a hearing impaired patient using an interpreter, a trans patient in consultation, an older patient hiding their pain, and culturally diverse patients who express pain differently.
Students’ feedback on the necessity to improve their response to non-verbal cues and the insufficiency of traditional workshops led to this initiative.
Dr Atta Naqvi, from the School of Pharmacy and the project lead, said, “These vignettes allow students to observe and reflect on real-world scenarios in ways traditional teaching cannot achieve."
The pharmacy students were shown the films during their workshop sessions in April and May this year, and so far two hundred students have seen the films.
The students expressed positive feedback, highlighting increased confidence in interpreting non-verbal cues.
The project was funded by the University’s Teaching and Learning Enhancement Projects (TLEP) scheme, showcased at the Advance HE Teaching and Learning Conference in June 2025
"This collaboration demonstrates how film can serve as a powerful educational tool in disciplines beyond film studies and media production. Our students gained valuable experience creating content with genuine social impact, while helping future healthcare professionals develop vital communication skills,” said Dr Shweta Ghosh from the Department of Film, Theatre & Television.
