COMSEP, the Council on Medical Student Education and Pediatrics, was established in 1992 and achieved independence in 2015. COMSEP is an international community of educators who are passionate about advancing the art and science of advancing medical education in pediatrics.
Dr. Briana Tierno, Assistant Director of the Anaclerio Learning and Assessment Center and internationally recognized expert in medical improv, recently presented at the COMSEP 2025 Annual Meeting. Her experiential workshop, titled “‘Moving Beyond Yes And…Using Medical Improv to Navigate Challenging Conversations'”, explored the use of improvisational techniques to enhance communication and interpersonal skills among pediatric medical professionals.
The presentation emphasized how medical improv can foster essential skills such as empathy, patient engagement, adaptability, and active listening, which are crucial for effective interactions with patients, families, and colleagues. Participants engaged in improvisational exercises designed to reinforce these skills and their practical applications.
Applied improv is often attributed to Neva Boyd (1876-1963) who used games and improvisation in her work at Chicago’s Hull House to teach language skills, problem-solving, self-confidence and social skills. Dr. Tierno’s talk drew inspiration from the work of Dr. Belinda Fu, a prominent figure in medical improv who introduced the “Triple A” model—attunement, affirmation, and advancement—as core skills in the field. (Fu, 2019)