Bangor University recently welcomed BAFTA-winning actor Joanna Scanlan for a special screening of Joy which premiered on Netflix on 2024. The event, held at Pontio, opened with an engaging Q&A, which I chaired, that brought together members of the public, University staff and students. This rich mix of perspectives created a thoughtful, comfortable atmosphere that shaped the discussion.
The film tells the remarkable story of the world’s first IVF birth, but what resonated most for me was not simply the scientific achievement—it was the emotional weight carried by the healthcare professionals who made it possible.
My reflections on the discussion, the film, and the evening highlighted that this event offered far more than a cinematic experience. It served as a valuable teaching of empathy, teamwork and the emotional realities of clinical practice.
Film as a Teaching Tool
Film is increasingly recognised in medical education for its ability to illuminate the human side of healthcare. Joy does this powerfully. Although framed around a groundbreaking clinical development, the film exposes the personal cost endured by Sir Robert Edwards – Alumnus of Bangor University, Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy. Their commitment came with public criticism, professional rejection and enormous pressure.
These experiences mirror the challenges faced by clinicians today. The GMC National Training Survey (2025) highlights rising levels of burnout, emotional exhaustion and moral injury among resident doctors. Watching Joy encourages us to consider the hidden emotional labour behind innovation, complex decision-making and patient care.
The “Soft Skills” That Aren’t Soft
During the event, Joanna Scanlan spoke candidly about portraying compassion, moral uncertainty and resilience. Her reflections reinforced what evidence now shows clearly: communication, teamwork and empathy are not “soft skills”—they are essential clinical competencies.
The film illustrates how strong leadership, shared values and a cohesive team can protect staff from emotional distress and burnout. These protective factors align with theoretical frameworks such as Self-Determination Theory, which emphasises autonomy, competence and relatedness as foundations for wellbeing.
Learning Not to “Other” Patients
An important theme raised in the film is the risk of othering patients. In Joy, Robert Edwards assigns patient numbers for research accuracy, yet he knows each woman by name and understands her story. This reflects a tension in contemporary healthcare: while anonymisation is necessary, depersonalisation can cause real harm.
Language shapes culture. When clinicians refer to a person as “the appendicitis in bed three,” empathy erodes. Our discussion with Joanna Scanlan touched on how easily this distancing can happen under pressure, and how intentional practice is required to keep care human.
Making the Unbearable Bearable
One of the most memorable lines from the film speaks of “making the unbearable bearable.” This sentiment naturally connected our conversation to Schwartz Rounds Schwartz Rounds (structured group sessions for staff working in health and social care) which offer structured spaces for staff to reflect on the emotional impact of caring for patients. These sessions have been shown to reduce burnout, build psychological safety and strengthen connection—mirroring exactly what Joy portrays about the importance of relational support.
A Moment for the North Wales Medical School
The screening and Q&A underscored the North Wales Medical School commitment to compassionate, reflective medical education. By integrating narrative media into the curriculum, we help students connect clinical training with the lived human experiences that underpin healthcare.
Joy reminded us that while science changes lives, it is humanity that sustains the people who deliver it.
