Introducing Diagnosis: A Groundbreaking Open Educational Resource for Medical Students

As an OER, Diagnosis is not only accessible to our students but also freely available to educators and institutions around the world, supporting the global sharing and adaptation of high-quality learning materials.

Developed specifically for the Joint Medical Program (JMP), Diagnosis offers students a unique opportunity to hone their diagnostic skills in an interactive, low-stakes environment that simulates real clinical challenges. The use of a board-game design combines ease of implementation and accessibility with the many advantages of game-based learning approaches. Clinical skills sessions using Diagnosis have been delivered to first- and second-year students in the JMP, with high engagement by students and good learning outcomes noted by facilitators.

A Collaborative Success

Co-designed with Year 4 medical students, Diagnosis was developed with input from faculty and teaching staff, including Dr. Nara Jones, Dr. Charlotte Englund, and others. The game was recently recognised with the prestigious Patil Teaching Innovation Award at the 2024 AMEE Conference, showcasing its global impact on health professions education.

“This resource is a huge step forward for medical education, and we’re thrilled to make it available as an Open Educational Resource,” says Eleonora, one of the project leads and principal authors. “Publication as an OER allows anyone, anywhere, to adopt, adapt, and enhance the game for their own teaching needs, preserves the non-commercial intention we established, and maintains due attribution to the creators and curators.”

Open Access for Global Impact

Aligned with our institutional commitment to Open Access, Diagnosis is now freely available as an OER via the Pressbooks platform in the CAUL OER Collective catalogue. This means the game can be easily adapted and shared by educators worldwide, promoting equity in healthcare education. By offering this resource digitally, we are also supporting sustainability by reducing the environmental impact associated with physical textbooks.

Why OERs Matter

Open Educational Resources, like Diagnosis, have a transformative impact on teaching and learning. These resources can easily be updated, ensuring content remains relevant and accurate. They can also be tailored to reflect diverse cultural contexts, offering a more inclusive educational experience. Additionally, OERs align with our University's values of excellence, equity, and sustainability, providing accessible, adaptable learning materials for students everywhere.

Transforming Clinical Education

Diagnosis immerses students in a simulated hospital setting, where they gather critical clinical information to diagnose and manage patients. The game provides opportunities for "productive failure"—where students learn through reflection on their errors, identification of learning needs and cognitive biases —helping them build resilience and refine their clinical reasoning. Players also navigate resource management and prioritisation, reflecting the complexities of real-world healthcare delivery.

Diagnosis bridges the gap between campus-based and placement-based learning by using a game-based format that ensures students develop adaptive expertise, preparing them for real clinical scenarios.

As an OER, it represents a major step forward in providing high-quality, freely accessible educational resources to the global medical community, ultimately supporting the training of the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Get Involved

We encourage staff to explore Diagnosis and consider how it can be integrated into your teaching practices. The game is not only a cutting-edge educational tool but also an example of how our University is leading the way in medical education innovation.

Learn more and access Diagnosis on the Pressbooks platform today!

Or learn more about Open Educational Resources here.