Video Game Can Help Train Medical Students To Make Effective Home Visits To Older Patients

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 04 May 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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A specially designed video game can help train medical students to make effective home visits to older patients, according to a study presented on May 4 here at the American Geriatrics Society's (AGS) 2007 Annual Scientific Meeting. Home visits are an important part of the care of older people.

"Although most health professionals perform home visits, there is not a structured method to perform them," report Gustavo Duque, MD, PhD, and colleagues at McGill University who conducted the study. "In addition, in-training health professionals' exposure to home visits is limited due to logistical reasons."

To address this, the researchers devised a 3-D virtual reality video game, RiskDom-Geriatrics. The game, designed to train medical students to make effective home visits, simulated a patient's home, and, among other things, allowed players to explore and evaluate the home for hazards that could lead to falls and other injuries.

"This is an innovative use of "edutainment" in medical education, which, in fact, means learning while having fun," said Dr. Duque.

The researchers' preliminary data found that medical students, who were evaluated before and after playing and had to play against time and distractions, showed improvements in their understanding of how to make an effective home visit.

About the American Geriatrics Society (AGS)

Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society is a nationwide, not-for-profit association of geriatrics health care professionals dedicated to improving the health, independence, and quality of life of all older people. The Society supports this mission through activities in clinical practice, professional and public education, research, and public policy. With an active membership of over 6,700 health care professionals, the Society has become a pivotal force in shaping attitudes, policies, and practices in geriatric medicine.

www.americangeriatrics.org