Geriatrix: A Role-Playing Game

Abstract

To sensitize medical students to the complexities of geriatric patient care, the geriatrics faculty of Upstate Medical Center's Clinical Campus developed Geriatrix, a role-playing game. Students play as physician, staff member, family member, or elder and attempt to win points in a board game containing Fact Squares, Concept Squares, and Crisis Squares. Crises especially promote exposure to ethical dilemmas and invite intense debate and questioning. To date, students have participated enthusiastically and have attested to knowledge attainment and attitude change.