School Health Education Program
Championing Education and Health for Hawaii's Youth

A service of the John A. Burns School of Medicine
Office of Medical Education

Unique Instructional Methods to Improve Physician
  Communication Skills

Roosevelt Carnival
Dr.  Ivy Nip and her medical/pre-students developed unique instructional methods to teach substance abuse in a "carnival type" milieu.  High school students choose a booth to visit; and like a carnival game, are given the instructions and allowed to "play".  This method provides factual information on various substances, while replicating clinical and behavioral consequences of its abuse.

The carnival milieu creates a  "win-win" situation; high school students learn through audio-visual association of the dangers of substance abuse, SHEP students gain new communication tools when providing health education to a challenging adolescent population.
 

 


Roosevelt High School students entering the SHEP Substance abuse carnival.

 


Students choose educational booths on tobacco or marijuana use.

 


Other choices include methamphetamine, alcohol and ecstasy.

 


After a short talk on the physiological effects of smoking, pre-medical student
Lisa L passes out straws for a demonstration on shortness-of-breath.

 


Students perform jumping jacks to increase their heart rate and demand for oxygen,
while trying to breathe through straws.  This simulates the shortness-of-breath
experienced by a chronic smoker.

 


Medical student Kyle C reviews physiologic consequences of
marijuana use.

 


The delayed fine motor coordination brought on by marijuana use is simulated by placing the student's hand in cold water, then asking him to grasp a falling pen.  Each time the student tries, he fails.  Reinforcing an important lesson on the consequences of marijuana use.

 


Medical student Gina F teaches the consequences of alcohol and its negative effects on health.

 


A student wears goggles and is spun around before attempting to
walk a straight line.  This simulates the effect of alcohol on coordination,
and the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol.  The
student failed the field sobriety test.

 


Medical student Cindy T demonstrates how someone could "spike"
a drink with ecstasy at a club.  Since the drug is odorless, has no
color or taste, the student could unwillingly ingest the drug.

Students learn the connection between sexual assault and unwilling
drug ingestion, and the importance of knowing their surroundings to
prevent this drug induced assault.

 


Medical and pre-medical students debrief the substance abuse
carnival, allowing  high school students to ask questions on the
session.
 

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