Teaching Psychopharmacology in the Medically Ill: A Problem-Based Learning Card Game for Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Didactics

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Our educational report discusses a unique card game that provides an engaging, and competitive strategy for teaching psychopharmacology in the medically ill. It engages the players and helps them learn how to justify medical decisions in the context of complicated medical comorbidity. METHODS We describe a problem-based learning approach where learners are presented with randomized diagnoses and complications and are then forced to make prescription decisions for treatment from a limited and randomized supply of medication cards. Each round is facilitated by the teacher, who engages the teams and/or individual players in discussions regarding the rationale and justification of the medication decisions. These treatment plans are scored according to the appropriateness of the medication choice and the process is repeated. DISCUSSION The game is flexible regarding players’ levels of education and has been played by medical students, psychiatry residents, and fellows throughout their years of training. Overall feedback has been positive from facilitators and trainees and the game has been a valuable source of engaging learners in the process of making complex medication decisions in the medically ill.