Medical Solitaire: A Flash-Based Game Facilitating Study and Review of Lecture Content. “Cysts and Tumors of the Liver”

Abstract

Abstract This module is a game-based desktop study and review tool that deals with the cysts and tumors of the liver. Medical Solitaire structures factual course content into an engaging format. The top half of the game screen can display up to eight categories (e.g., types of hepatic cysts and tumors in the illustrative example). The lower half of the game screen contains a stack of digital cards (text, laboratory data, radiographic images, gross pathology images, histopathologic images) that are to be matched with the categories above. The student evaluates the data on the top card of the stack and decides with which of the categories it matches. They then drag the card to that category (much like playing computer solitaire). A score is tabulated in the lower right corner. At the end of the game, the student receives a percent grade reflecting how well they have done in matching card data with each category. Low scores would tell the student that they need more review of the material. The categories and card stack reshuffle every time a new game is started to avoid having students remember material based solely on its location in the game. The first iteration of the tool is being published to highlight the role that game-playing can have in medical education and to obtain feedback from medical educators aiding the further development of the educational approach.

Keywords

• Gastrointestinal Diseases
• Educational Game
• Liver Diseases
• Liver Neoplasms
• Hepatic Circulation