AUTHOR=Yu Hao , Isahakyan Anna , van Merrienboer Jeroen J. G. , Köhler S. Eleonore , Asoodar Maryam 

TITLE=Second language learning role-play: effects of patient and doctor roles on motivation and competence

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1163267

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2023.1163267

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=Objectives: For decades, role-playing has motivated foreign language learners. As our first goal, we explored how intrinsic motivation changes medical second language (L2) learning through the lens of self-determination theory. As a learning opportunity, the patient-doctor medical consultation role-play addressed the importance of the doctor's role but neglected the patient's role. Our second goal was to determine if patient roles provide additional value to medical L2 learning.
Methods: We employed a mixed-methods approach in a single-group pretest-posttest design with 15 student volunteers learning medical Dutch through peer role-play in medical consultations. At the beginning and end of the course, students were given questionnaires to assess how their intrinsic motivation to experience stimulation, feelings of relatedness, and feelings of competence changed. Learning competence was also measured through a peer-rated checklist and the course's final grades. Students participated in semi-structured interviews at the end of the course to discuss their experiences acting as patients. Findings were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and thematic analysis.
Results: Pretest to posttest questionnaires showed increasing intrinsic motivation to experience stimulation as well as the feeling of relatedness. The competence checklist, feeling of competence, and final grades showed that students were competent in medical L2. Five themes highlighted the benefits of medical consultation role-play and playing the role of the patient for medical L2 learning: (1) motivational experience, (2) supportive peer interaction, (3) setting up a role-play environment for medical L2 learning, (4) utilizing the patient role to benefit medical L2 learning, and (5) revisiting the doctor’s role from the patient perspective. 
Discussion: The study showed role-play benefits of medical L2 learning by enhancing students' intrinsic motivation, increasing their feeling of relatedness, and helping with competence development. The study also clarified that playing the role of the patient in medical consultation supports students' medical L2 learning. Future controlled experiments are recommended to confirm the positive impact of playing the role of the patient in medical consultation.