Ten years' experience conducting the Aging Game workshop: was it worth it?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Geriatrics
• Disability Studies

Background:

• The Aging Game simulates physical, sensory, and cognitive deficits associated with chronic diseases.
• The University of Minnesota has integrated this simulation into its medical curriculum since 1994.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the resources and educational value of the Aging Game.
• To assess its effectiveness as a teaching tool for medical students.

Main Methods:

• Review of a decade of experience with the Aging Game.
• Analysis of start-up costs, personnel requirements, and student evaluations (N=673).
• Qualitative analysis of student comments on learning, attitudinal change, and educational impact.

Main Results:

• Low start-up costs ($530) due to donated props.
• Significant personnel required: 2 faculty and 5+ facilitators per session.
• High student ratings (mean 1.41/1.00) for overall value, teaching effectiveness, and discussion quality.
• Key student feedback themes: experiential learning, attitudinal shifts, and memorable impact.

Conclusions:

• The Aging Game is a resource-intensive but highly effective educational tool.
• It successfully promotes lasting awareness and understanding of aging and geriatric care issues.
• The simulation's role-playing and deficit simulation aspects are particularly impactful for medical trainees.