The RAMS Hunt: A Multiyear Gamified Approach for Teaching Sex-Specific Medicine at a National Conference

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Gamification in Healthcare
• Sex-Specific Medicine

Background:

• Sex-specific medicine (SSM) is crucial but underrepresented in medical education.
• Traditional teaching methods have limited reach at national conferences.
• Gamification offers potential for increased engagement in professional settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a gamified, team-based event (RAMS Hunt) for teaching SSM.
• To assess learner engagement, enjoyment, and perceived educational value.
• To explore a novel framework for integrating experiential learning into professional society meetings.

Main Methods:

• The RAMS Hunt event was implemented at three Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Annual Meetings.
• Teams completed SSM, health equity, and professional development challenges at city landmarks.
• Post-event surveys assessed participant enjoyment and educational effectiveness; qualitative analysis explored themes.

Main Results:

• Over 66 teams registered, with 88 surveys completed across three events.
• High mean enjoyment (3.47-4.52/5) and educational effectiveness (3.47-4.09/5) ratings were reported.
• Qualitative feedback highlighted increased awareness of sex and sociocultural influences on health and the value of interactive learning.

Conclusions:

• The RAMS Hunt demonstrated feasibility and strong learner engagement for disseminating SSM content via gamification.
• This model provides a replicable framework for experiential, team-based learning at professional meetings.
• Further refinement of logistics is needed for sustainability and broader adoption.