Movie Day Awareness through Cinema

Introduction:

As part of its ongoing commitment to integrating entertainment with education, the Extracurricular Activity (ECA) Unit at Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences (FCMS) organized a Movie Day event. This activity aimed to engage students through cinematic storytelling that promotes empathy, critical thinking, and health awareness. The featured film was an American English-language movie that depicted the emotional and psychological journey of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease. By spotlighting such an important neurological condition, the event offered an opportunity to reflect on real-life medical and caregiving challenges.

Goals and Objectives:

•  Raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease among students through visual storytelling.

•  Enhance students’ understanding of patient experiences and the emotional toll of chronic illness.

•  Promote empathy and reflective thinking about mental health and aging.

•  Provide a relaxed, engaging environment for extracurricular learning.

•  Encourage open dialogue on healthcare challenges faced by patients and families.

Description of learning outcomes achieved through the activity:

•  Medical Insight: Students gained a deeper understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, including its symptoms, progression, and impact on patients and families.

•  Empathy Development: The film highlighted the emotional journey of the main character, encouraging students to see beyond clinical presentations and consider the human side of healthcare.

•  Communication Skills: Post-movie discussions allowed students to express reflections, improving their ability to communicate sensitive topics related to aging and memory loss.

•  Multidisciplinary Perspective: The activity bridged clinical learning with arts and humanities, enhancing holistic understanding of patient care.

Date:

Wednesday, January 29th

Time:

12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Venue:

Ibn-Alnafis Auditorium, Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences

Targeted Audience:

All students across programs (MBBS, PharmD, Nursing, MLS)

Brief description of the activity:

The ECA Unit presented a well-received Movie Day event featuring a film centered on an Alzheimer’s patient’s life. The movie was carefully selected for its educational value and emotional impact. Students were invited to watch the film in a cinema-like setting at Ibn-Alnafis Auditorium. The event included a brief introduction to Alzheimer’s disease and its relevance to future healthcare professionals. After the screening, an open discussion was held for voluntary reflections and questions.

Staff participation in the activity:

25

Students’ participation in the activity: •  Total attendees: Approximately 75

•  Programs represented: MBBS, PharmD, Nursing, and MLS

MBBS 43

PharmD 7

BSN 20

MLE 5

Participants’ Feedback:

Students appreciated the emotional depth of the film and how it tied into their medical studies. Many expressed interests in having more health-related film sessions. The reflective component of the session was particularly impactful.

Survey results: 4.9/5

Conclusion:

The Movie Day at FCMS proved to be both an enjoyable and enlightening experience. It successfully blended education with cinema, encouraged student engagement, and fostered awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. Based on positive feedback, similar themed Movie Days will be planned in the future.