JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Jul 1;9(7):e2625630. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.25630.
ABSTRACT
IMPORTANCE: Research on the specific experiences of Asian American health care professionals and trainees, who face cultural dilemmas and stereotypes distinct from other minority groups, is limited. Few studies have evaluated interactive theater-based interventions for collective healing from racial trauma and for addressing cultural dilemmas, situations in which individuals navigate internalized stigma, interpersonal bias, and systemic exclusion within professional settings.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and impacts of Acting Together, a webinar series using interactive theater to promote therapeutic healing and skill-building among Asian American health care professionals and trainees facing cultural dilemmas and biases at individual, interpersonal, and systemic levels.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this qualitative study with a mixed-methods design, Acting Together featured improvisational exercises, interactive skits inspired by Asian American trainees’ lived experiences, and panel discussions with Asian American health care professionals. Skits directly addressed topics of stereotypes, model-minority bias, and cultural expectations. Webinars were conducted via a videoconferencing platform in August and November 2023 and March 2024. Participants were health care trainees recruited nationally through institutional listservs, social media, and word of mouth.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Prewebinar and postwebinar surveys assessed Likert-scale changes in self-perceived abilities to adapt, communicate, engage, and recognize implicit bias using paired t tests. Acceptability and feasibility were evaluated using summary statistics and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. Qualitative data from postwebinar focus groups were analyzed by iterative thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Out of 112 participants, 67 (59.8% response rate) completed paired pre-post surveys (41 [61.2%] female; 34 [50.7%] Asian American), including medical (34 [50.7%]), nursing (7 [10.4%]), and social work (5 [7.5%]) students. Most found the program fit into existing clinical work (63 [94.0%]), was adaptable to training programs (62 [92.5%]), and was recommendable (62 [92.5%]). Significant improvements were noted in pre-post scores for self-perceived wellness (13.8% change; P < .001), communication (13.2% change; P < .001), and confidence (11.2% change; P = .004), and 48 participants (71.6%) reported improved competency to recognize and address implicit biases (P < .001). Qualitative analysis revealed themes of psychological safety, community solidarity, and preparedness to address cultural dilemmas.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this mixed-methods study, Acting Together was associated with improved skills and confidence in addressing cultural dilemmas and implicit bias, suggesting interactive theater-based webinars are a promising educational approach to support Asian American health care professionals and trainees.
PMID:42518235 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.25630
