ElderQuest
ElderQuest is an interactive 3-D videogame aimed at helping medical students learn the AAMC geriatric competencies. The first 5-mission playpack of a single-player game has been completed, during which the player starts a journey to save the Grey Sage and the Kingdom from various hazards. Game content reinforces medication management, cognitive disorders, falls, self-care capacity and atypical presentation of disease. Key members of the geriatrics team are integrated into the game and storyline in order to illustrate the interprofessional team-based model for geriatric care. Educational metrics measuring geriatrics content and learner performance are mapped to specific AAMC competency areas and programmed to generate in-game feedback to the player as they accomplish each mission. An example screenshot of a player debriefing screen is provided. A survey to evaluate student acceptance of video gaming as a learning tool has been developed and is also provided.
- Use first-person interactive game play, competition and immediate player feedback to acquire geriatrics content knowledge and guide self-improvement.
- Apply AAMC geriatric competencies related to medication management, cognitive disorders, falls, self-care capacity and atypical presentation of disease to game challenges
- Improve retention of and proficiency in AAMC geriatric competencies linked to game play success.
Live internet access by a computer with traditional keys and a mouse is required to 1) access the website which hosts the game and 2) execute game commands. You must download and install the free Unity game engine in order to play.
Measurement of specific student performance data other than general in-game debriefing screens for the player, such as item performance and time spent in game, requires contracting with the game developer, Brainstorm Rising, LLC, for a site-specific database. Game progress may be saved at the end of any mission by the player. The game may be played multiple times in multiple sessions for as long as desired. In-game help is available for geriatrics content knowledge related to the game.