Game-based Learning in Medical Education

Published on Tuesday, August 20, 2024

By: Casey Boothe, PhD

Game-based learning (GBL) in medical education utilizes the engaging and interactive nature of games to enhance the learning experience for students. By incorporating elements of competition, collaboration, and problem-solving, GBL not only makes learning more exciting, but it can also improve long-term retention, communication skills, and critical thinking. GBL can be used in a variety of ways, such as matching games, drawing activities, or Jeopardy! review games.

Escape rooms have been a popular commercial entertainment activity for years, and now they are becoming a popular application of GBL in medical education. These activities can be done through a virtual format or in-person. They include an overarching storyline that provides context and a question to be answered or problem to be solved, with the ultimate goal being to escape the room in which the activity takes place. The immersive nature of escape rooms makes learning memorable and enjoyable, which can lead to better educational outcomes.

In 2022, I designed a histology escape room activity for students in the Pre-matriculation Program as an end-of-course review activity. A fictional storyline was created based on the popular TV show House. Various learning activities were implemented to promote retrieval of histology content as students competed in teams, racing to escape the room the fastest. Anecdotally, students enjoyed the activity, and it has been a part of the course the last 3 years. This has been a passion project of mine, and I am excited to look for new ways to incorporate GBL in medical education!