This session will talk about a project designed to help primary care physicians who often lack the time or have not been trained to address the range of psychosocial issues presented.
Biological, psychological, and social factors all play a significant role in human functioning in the context of disease. In fact, as many as 70% of primary care visits are linked to underlying mental health and psychosocial issues; yet as many as 80% of patients with clinical depression are undiagnosed and undertreated because symptoms go unrecognized in the context of physical problems.
Diagnosing depression is largely subjective, as no biological tests exist to confirm major depression. Although most patients with mental health issues access the health system through primary care, many primary care physicians lack the time or have not been trained to address the range of psychosocial issues presented. Increasing knowledge and changing the behavior of primary care physicians regarding major depression management required a different approach than traditional continuing medical education.
To close the gap in delivering quality depression care, we realized we needed a new way of teaching, presenting content, and allowing physicians to interact with content. A serious game platform brought an effective learning environment and a new approach for effective learner engagement. Our online game is case-based and branched to effectively influence the way learners represent and process information, creating an environment that changes according to player input.