The Role of Theatre-Based Methodologies as Complementary Educational Interventions in Continuing Nursing Education: A Scoping Review

Theatre-based methodologies are increasingly recognized as complementary approaches that can enhance nurses’ empathy, communication, critical thinking, and person-centred care, all essential for managing chronic illnesses. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize evidence on the application of theatre in continuing nursing education. A systematic literature search was conducted across five databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Education Source) for publications in English and Italian up to 30 December 2024, supplemented by grey literature from ProQuest and reference screening via Google Scholar. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria, identifying two main theatre methodologies, Forum Theatre and Drama, with four variations. These interactive methods were reported to foster reflective practice, enhance person-centred care, and improve interprofessional collaboration. Positive outcomes included improved nurse–patient relationships, quality of care, emotional engagement, cultural competence, teamwork, conflict management, and acceptance of diversity. Key facilitators were institutional support and active participation, while barriers included resistance to change and limited resources. These findings indicate that theatre-based education can serve as an effective complementary strategy to cultivate empathy, creativity, and reflective skills in continuing nursing education, supporting the development of holistic and patient-centred care practices. Further research is needed to explore the sustainability of acquired competencies in clinical practice.