ROLE-PLAYING AS A COLLABORATIVE LEARNING METHODOLOGY APPLIED TO PHYSIOTHERAPY STUDENTS

Introduction:
Role-playing is a tool for active student participation that facilitates cooperative learning and that can be more effective than traditional methods for training in skills.

Purpose:
The aim of this study is to present the methodology of collaborative role-playing learning in the study of professional ethics in Physical therapy, in the subject of Clinical Stays IIIrd.

Methods:
We proceeded to the design and realization of the methodology of collaborative role-playing learning in the study of professional ethics in Physical therapy, in the context of the subject Clinical Stays IIIrd. A sample of 66 students was used. Two one-hour group sessions were organized to work in person in the classroom. To do this, all students were divided into subgroups of 4 or 5 students, in which role-playing was used as a cooperative active participation technique.

Results:
This abstract presents the methodology of collaborative learning (role-playing), for the study of professional ethics in Physical Therapy, within the subject Clinical Stays IIIrd. Two group sessions were established, which has as aim that the students were learning to recognize common non ethical situations in a simulated work environment.

In general lines, the following strategy was followed:
1) The teacher selected the behavior to work, she clearly defined the objectives to be achieved and divided the different roles among the students;
2) The students, studied "their role" for 5 minutes;
3) It began to interpret the situation, seeking the maximum of naturalness;
4) At the end, a group discussion was made with the group-class, to make a critical analysis of the process.

In the first session, a situation was recreated in a private professional environment and in the second session it was proposed a situation in the context of a public hospital. After the representation of each of the meetings, a debate began between the different groups, coordinated by the teacher.

Conclusions:
Role-playing is a suitable option regarding the professional ethics study of subject of Clinical Stays IIIrd. The use of this technique can promote interest between pupils and help to achieve learning objectives of professional ethics in physical therapy.