Play Tetris to treat sepsis?
Stanford tool helps train docs
Topics: Infection Control, Quality, Performance Improvement
February 22, 2012
Researchers from Stanford University Medical Center used Tetris as their inspiration to develop a Web-based game to train physicians to make quick treatment decisions for sepsis patients.
The game, called Septris, can be played at no cost on certain mobile devices and computers. Each game starts with images of two patients on the left side of the screen and their vital signs on the right. Meanwhile, diagnostic tests and treatment options flank the bottom of the screen.
The patients' images sink down the screen as seconds pass, indicating that their vitals are deteriorating. Patients in the game can die within two minutes, forcing users to make quick observations and decisions. The game awards players with points if they understand the possible side effects of different drug combinations. It also links to medical journal articles to provide additional information.
The researchers intended to create a way to help physicians who might find learning by a game more appealing than a lecture. "You want to let the learner create and play, and you want to offer them choices," says Brian Tobin, instructional technology manager in the medical school's Office of Information Resources & Technology.
Researchers now plan to study the effectiveness of Septris compared with other training methods (MedCity News, 2/12; Stanford School of Medicine release, 2/8).
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