(2) A Family Feud themed game to reinforce topics of infectious diseases

Objective : The objective of this project was to describe the development and implementation of a Family Feud style game and assess the impact of the game on student knowledge and confidence of infectious disease topics.

Methods: The Family Feud activity was designed to reinforce knowledge of infectious disease topics and was implemented to students in the third (P3) and fourth (P4) professional year as a voluntary, co-curricular event. Student participants completed a 10-item, fill-in-the-blank pre- and post-event knowledge test, a pre- and post-event 8-item self-reported confidence assessment, and a post-event program evaluation. Paired t-test was used to assess differences in knowledge and confidence. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze student perceptions of the activity.

Results: Fifty-three students participated in the family feud activity. Fifty-one students (96%) completed pre and post surveys and were included in the data analysis. Statistically significant differences were noted in total knowledge scores pre to post survey (10.5 vs. 20.6, P<.01). The mean difference in knowledge test scores was higher for P3 students compared to P4 students (12.4 vs. 9.2). There was also a statistically significant increase in student self-reported confidence (P <.01) across all infectious disease topic areas. Students agreed or strongly agreed that the game was a fun way to review infectious disease topics (92%), allowed students to identify areas for improvement of knowledge of infectious diseases (90%), and allowed them to learn from peers (88%).

Conclusions: The infectious diseases family feud game was well received by students and served as an effective tool to reinforce infectious diseases topics. Such gaming activity increases students’ knowledge and confidence of infectious diseases and is positively perceived by student participants.