Learning Pediatrics Using a Web-based Game

Chris Maloney, MD, Paul Ogershook, MD, Scott Cottrell, EdD, Jeremy Kendrick

University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA and West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA

ABSTRACT:

Objective: To provide an interactive educational tool in the field of pediatric medicine. This tool is intended for use in a small group setting for all pediatric educators by way of the Internet. Methods: This educational tool was designed in a board game format based on the original "Pediatric Board Game." Graphic design was created with Macintosh Freehand software and game programming was done using Macromedia Flash 6. The game is hosted on a cold fusion server at http://msig.med.utah.edu/boardgame/. Players advance through the board by answering questions correctly. The 400 game questions were created to encompass four increasingly difficult levels of play. Although some strategy and luck are involved in play, the major emphasis of the game is to teach and test students from the designed questions. Results: both medical students and pediatric residents have played The Online or Web-Based Pediatric Board Game with a positive reception. Multiple pediatric educators have used the game successfully in a small group setting. Ten medical students from the University of Utah and twelve residents from West Virginia University have played the game and completed a post-game survey on a standard 5-point Likert scale. The students and residents have universally given high scores in all categories. Conclusions: Placement of "The Pediatric Board Game" on the Internet has allowed easy and free access to this interactive method of teaching. It has been well received by educators and learners alike, as a creative and innovative educational tool. This game should be further developed, refined, and used to help educate students and housestaff. A randomized trial evaluating learning

when teams of students play the game with a faculty facilitator versus individual students answering questions through a computerized "flash-card" method is currently underway.

BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS ATTENDING SESSION:

Participants will be exposed to the ease of moving from a traditional "Shoots-and-ladders" type board game to a multi-media web-based game. In addition, the authors will share preliminary data comparing learning through team play of the game versus a computerized "flash-card" control group.

Chris Maloney, MD

Primary Children's Medical Center and the University of Utah

100 N. Medical Drive

Salt Lake City,

Utah 84113

Phone: 801 588-3280

Fax: 801 588-3297

Email: chris.maloney@hsc.utah.edu

Website: http://msig.med.utah.edu/boardgame/ AND http://msig.med.utah.edu/boardgame/medflash.html

CO-AUTHORS:

Paul Ogershook, MD

Scott Cottrell, EdD

Jeremy Kendrick Medical Student

University of West Virginia (PO and SC)

University of Utah (JK)