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MedEd DeepDive: Where Innovation Meets Education
Whether you're a student navigating the complexities of medical school, an educator striving to improve learning outcomes, a researcher pushing the boundaries of knowledge, or a policymaker shaping the future of medical education—this podcast is for you.
In Season 1 of MedEd DeepDive, we explore the cutting-edge innovations transforming how we teach and learn. From the use of AI and chatbots to combat vaccine misinformation to the game-changing potential of virtual simulations and the metaverse in medical training, our episodes dive into the latest research and real-world applications. We'll also discuss innovative tools like serious games, escape rooms, and virtual patients that make learning more immersive and effective.
Join us as we examine the technological advancements and essential human elements of healthcare education, highlighting how strategies like interprofessional education, team-based learning, and even traditional methods like moulage can create a more holistic and impactful approach.
Subscribe now to stay ahead of the curve and participate in the conversation shaping the future of healthcare education.
Okay. So today, we're diving into a fascinating area of medical training. But, instead of focusing on the usual suspects, you know, like stethoscopes and textbooks, we're talking pixels and controllers and game mechanics, the world of serious games and health care. You've brought some research on using these games to train doctors and nurses, and frankly, I'm already hooked.
Yassin:Yeah. It's pretty captivating stuff.
Zaynab:It really is. I mean, imagine doctors perfecting life saving skills by battling, like, virtual viruses or nurses honing their clinical skills in these hyperrealistic digital simulations.
Yassin:And it's not just about entertainment. It's about leveraging the mechanics of gaming, the strategic thinking it requires, the immersive nature, even that just one more try feeling we all know, all to really transform how we educate the medical minds of tomorrow.
Zaynab:Yeah. It's like instead of those dry lectures, it's an interactive experience, which honestly, let's be real, sounds way more engaging. But before we get too ahead of ourselves, let's define what we even mean by serious games. This research paper calls them interactive computer applications specifically designed for teaching real world skills.
Yassin:Right. Which I admit sounds a bit technical.
Zaynab:It does. Is there, like, a simpler way to grasp it?
Yassin:Absolutely. Think of a flight simulator. That's a perfect example of a serious game. It replicates the complexities of flying, right, to build skills, but in a risk free, controlled virtual environment. Now, apply that to the world of healthcare.
Yassin:Imagine practicing a surgery or diagnosing a rare condition, all within a digital space, one that allows for trial and error without real world consequences.
Zaynab:Oh, that makes perfect sense. So instead of just cramming information from a textbook, they're actually applying it in a way that feels real, but with that safety net. And these games, they're not just thrown together, are they?
Yassin:Not at all. They're meticulously designed with specific learning objectives in mind. They offer instant feedback and repetition, things traditional methods sometimes miss.
Zaynab:It's like learning by doing but digitally and with, I'm assuming, some pretty cool visuals. This research actually dives into 2 whole decades of serious games in health care. So from your perspective, what can we learn from how this field has evolved over time?
Yassin:Well, the research actually points to 3 distinct FMSs of development. In the early stages, there was a lot of exploration. Like, researchers were dipping their toes into uncharted waters, you know.
Zaynab:Yeah. Testing the waters, seeing what works.
Yassin:Exactly. They knew games had potential, but how to harness it effectively for medical education. That was still a mystery.
Zaynab:So it was like a medical experiment in itself? Precisely. Okay. So what happened next?
Yassin:Things really took off, I'd say, between 2,007 and 2,012. You saw a surge in research, more publications. There was a growing buzz around the potential of serious games. It was like the feels moment. People were realizing, hey, this game based learning thing might actually have legs.
Zaynab:So they went from cautiously dipping their toes to diving headfirst.
Yassin:Exactly.
Zaynab:And where did all this newfound enthusiasm lead?
Yassin:That brings us to the current phase, what the researchers are calling development. Since about 2013, the focus has shifted. It's gone from do these games even work to how can we make them even better?
Zaynab:So a real sense of purpose now.
Yassin:Yes. Absolutely. A real commitment to maximizing the potential.
Zaynab:That makes sense, but, you know, something that really surprised me. Only 1.7% of all game related research focuses on health professions. That's a tiny slice of the pie, especially considering how much we rely on these skilled health care workers.
Yassin:It's a good point, and it's something to think about.
Zaynab:Yeah. Are we missing a huge opportunity here?
Yassin:Possibly, especially when you consider that this research highlights how effective these games can be. It shows they can significantly improve short term learning. Often, they even outperform traditional methods.
Zaynab:Okay. So they work. But why? Is it simply because they're more fun than lectures and textbooks, or is there something more at play here? It can't just be the fun factor.
Zaynab:Right? I mean, there's gotta be more to it than that.
Yassin:You're right. There's a deeper reason why these games are so effective. Think about what makes a good game captivating. It's the engagement, the immersion. You're not just passively listening or reading, you're actively involved, making decisions that have consequences within that virtual world.
Zaynab:Yeah. You're living the experience. Right? Making choices, seeing the outcomes, but in a safe space where mistakes are learning opportunities, not, you know, career ending blunders.
Yassin:Exactly. And it's this active learning that makes serious games so powerful. The research paper actually calls it stealth learning. You're so engrossed in the experience that you don't even realize how much you're absorbing.
Zaynab:Self learning. I like that. It's like sneaking vegetables into a smoothie. You get all the benefits without even realizing you're learning something new. So how does this translate to, you know, the world of health care education?
Zaynab:What specific areas do these serious games actually target?
Yassin:Well, the paper highlights 4 main competencies, knowledge, technical skills, cognitive skills, and attitudes.
Zaynab:Okay. Let's break those down for a second because I'm curious. Knowledge, that seems pretty straightforward. Right? Memorizing medical terms, drug interactions, like, the basic building blocks.
Yassin:Precisely. It's the foundation upon which everything else is built.
Zaynab:Okay. Makes sense. And then there's technical skills. This is where things get hands on, I imagine.
Yassin:Exactly. Think of a virtual reality simulation of a surgery. Instead of real instruments, you're using controllers. Yeah. Right?
Yassin:Ones that mimic those precise movements, so you're building muscle memory, hand eye coordination. But, again, in that risk free environment
Zaynab:It's like training for the real world, but with, like, unlimited do overs. I love it. Okay. What about cognitive skills? That's where things get really interesting for me.
Yassin:Absolutely. Because this is where we tap into decision making, problem solving, critical thinking, all those skills that are crucial for any health care professional. These games often present very complex scenarios, you see. The player is forced to analyze information, prioritize actions, and adapt to what are often rapidly changing situations.
Zaynab:It's like facing a real medical emergency, but with the benefit of hitting pause. Exactly. I like that.
Yassin:But and this is where it gets even more fascinating. There's a significant gap in addressing the 4th competency, attitudes.
Zaynab:Attitudes. What do you mean by that? Like, bedside manner and empathy.
Yassin:Exactly. Things like empathy, professionalism, ethical judgment.
Zaynab:That's interesting because those are crucial skills for health care professionals. But how do you teach something like empathy through a digital game?
Yassin:You've hit the nail on the head. While there are games that touch upon communication, teamwork, cultivating qualities like empathy or resilience, in that digital environment, that's a complex challenge.
Zaynab:Right. It seems like you'd need a more nuanced approach, maybe a combination of game based learning for the technical skills, but then real world experience for those essential human aspects.
Yassin:I think a synergistic approach is key. And it's important to remember that we're not just talking about medical students. We're talking about the entire health care workforce, doctors, nurses, technicians, everyone.
Zaynab:Everyone who plays a role in providing quality care. You know, the research mentioned a surprising lack of studies on games specifically for postgraduate nursing education. That seems like a missed opportunity, doesn't it? What are your thoughts on that?
Yassin:It's a great observation, and it could be attributed to the structure of nursing education itself. Unlike medical school, which has residency programs, postgraduate nursing often involves more on the job training, you see. So perhaps there's an assumption that nurses will acquire those skills through their daily work.
Zaynab:So maybe there's a perception that they're already getting that hands on experience. But with the constant advancements in health care technology and the increasing complexity of patient care, would an ongoing learning through something like serious games be beneficial for nurses too?
Yassin:Absolutely. Continuous learning is crucial for all healthcare professionals. And serious games really do offer a flexible and gating platform for that. It's like the saying goes, the only constant is change, and that's especially true in medicine. But before we get too carried away with all this potential, it's important to acknowledge some limitations highlighted in the research.
Zaynab:Right. Because every new approach has its limitations. What are some of the challenges facing the field of serious games in health care?
Yassin:Well, one of the key takeaways from the paper is the need for, I'd say, more robust research, particularly large scale studies with really rigorous designs. A lot of the existing research you see involves smaller sample sizes Mhmm. Or it focuses on a limited range of healthcare professions.
Zaynab:So it's still early days for serious games in healthcare, kind of like discovering a powerful new medical device. But instead of electricity, this one runs on algorithms and game mechanics.
Yassin:They're a brilliant analogy. Mhmm. And just like with any new tool, we need to study it thoroughly, understand its mechanisms, and use it responsibly.
Zaynab:Okay. That makes sense. So how do we make sure that these games
Yassin:This brings us to a crucial question, really. If we're going to invest in serious games for medical training, how do we ensure they're truly effective?
Zaynab:Right. How do we separate the games that are just fun from those that deliver real tangible educational value?
Yassin:Exactly. And that's not always easy.
Zaynab:So how do we measure the effectiveness of these games then? Is it as simple as looking at whether player score has improved?
Yassin:It's far more nuanced than that. We need a framework for evaluating and creating impactful medical training games. One that goes beyond just assessing whether someone can beat a level or achieve a high score.
Zaynab:So not all games are created equal. We need to be discerning, deliberate, and design them with those very specific learning outcomes in mind from the start.
Yassin:Precisely. And this is where it gets really exciting. Imagine delving into the mechanics of these games, understanding what design elements actually lead to more effective learning. Is it the challenge, the feedback loops, the social interaction, or some perfect blend of all these factors?
Zaynab:It's like being a medical detective, but instead of symptoms, we're analyzing pixels and code.
Yassin:Exactly. And just as important, how those ingredients interact with different learners and different learning objectives. A game designed to teach surgical techniques, well, that's gonna have a different flavor than one focused on, say, patient communication or ethical decision making.
Zaynab:Right. So we need a whole cookbook, a comprehensive guide to game design that's based on desired outcomes. Want to enhance diagnostic skills? Here are the essential elements to include. Include.
Zaynab:Need to foster empathy and communication? Try these proven design strategies.
Yassin:I love your thinking. We need a framework for evaluating existing games and a road map for creating new ones, ones that are both captivating and impactful.
Zaynab:Because what's the point of a medical training game if it's all fun and no substance? Right? It's like sugar coated medicine. It tastes great, but doesn't actually cure anything.
Yassin:Precisely. And this is where your role as someone exploring these ideas becomes so crucial.
Zaynab:Wait. My role? I'm just a curious learner here.
Yassin:And therein lies your power, you see. You're approaching this with fresh eyes, unburdened by the, shall we say, traditional conventions of medical education. Your questions, your insights, they can spark new avenues of exploration. You're like a beta tester for the future of health care education.
Zaynab:Wow. I've never thought of it that way. It's exciting, but also a little daunting.
Yassin:I can imagine.
Zaynab:But you're right. If we wanna revolutionize health care, maybe we need to start by gamifying medical education. Make it engaging, make it fun, Make it effective. Turn those medical students into gaming doctors.
Yassin:Now you're getting it. And that brings us to our final thought provoking point for you to ponder. Imagine a future where medical simulations are not just realistic, but deeply engaging and even, dare I say, fun. Imagine tapping into the power of games to cultivate a new generation of not just highly skilled, but also deeply compassionate health care professionals.
Zaynab:Now that's a future I can get behind. This has been an incredible deep dive into a topic I knew very little about. Thanks for guiding me through it. I have a feeling I'll be looking at medical training and maybe even playing a few games myself in a whole new light.