AEM Education and Training (09/12/24) Fiala, Clare; Ragothaman, Sowmithree; Johl, Gursukhmani; et al.

A recent study investigated the effectiveness of an expansion pack for a board game that aims to increase players' understanding of interprofessional collaboration in the emergency department (ED) and the scope of practice of the many ED professionals. The study, which focused on one institution, included 45 participants from medical doctor, nursing, physiotherapy, and speech language pathology programs. Participants were asked to rate their valuation of the importance of interprofessional collaboration in the ED before and after playing GridlockED with the ExpandED expansion pack. The overall valuation increased from 6.2 (on a scale of 1-7) before playing to 6.4 after gameplay. The difference was not statistically significant; however, the researchers suggest that the high rating before gameplay indicated the participants had "preexisting positivity toward team-based, interprofessional collaboration in the ED setting." While most participants had some degree of exposure to interprofessional collaboration before playing the game, many also expressed a high degree of satisfaction with their overall experience with the game. Several participants commented positively on the overall accuracy of the game in simulating an ED setting, while others said they "developed a better understanding of the structure and workflow in an ED, and the value of interdisciplinary involvement in facilitating effective discharge planning." Challenges included potential biases, some tension among players, and limitations of fidelity to a real-life ED. The authors note the study findings will be used to "further development to optimize the expansion pack's effectiveness and its implementation into healthcare curricula."

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