Improving patient-centered communication through forum theatre in pregnancy after perinatal loss

Pregnancy after perinatal loss (PAL) often involves heightened emotional vulnerability, yet many health care providers receive limited training in the patient-centered communication (PCC) that patients desire. To address this gap, we developed a 75-minute workshop using forum theatre, an interactive educational approach in which participants engage with enacted clinical scenarios, reflect on communication challenges, and practice alternative responses in real time. The workshop included a didactic presentation introducing a PCC framework for PAL, two evidence-based forum theatre scenarios focused on pregnancy after a miscarriage, a facilitated debrief activity, and an optional evaluation. We present not only the workshop outcomes (e.g. enhanced awareness, confidence, and empathy) but also practical guidance for designing and facilitating forum theatre-based communication training, including lessons learned for fostering meaningful learner engagement adaptable for other stigmatized health conditions. Unlike traditional educational modalities, forum theatre offers an experiential and participatory approach that actively engages learners in communication decision-making while providing opportunities to practice and reflect on their skills in real time. This low-resource intervention can be implemented without substantial time or financial demands, making it an accessible strategy for strengthening supportive, PCC skills across diverse health care and educational settings.