The Zombie Virus Pandemic: An Innovative Simulation Integrating Virology, Population Health, and Bioethics for Preclinical Medical Students
Introduction Understanding population health in the context of infectious disease outbreaks is an important physician competency. However, identifying effective ways to engage early medical students in this content remains a challenge. We designed an innovative pandemic simulation for first-year med...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Association of American Medical Colleges
2020-11-01
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| Series: | MedEdPORTAL |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11016 |
| _version_ | 1798032980439990272 |
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| author | Jennifer M. Jackson E Shen Timothy R. Peters |
| author_facet | Jennifer M. Jackson E Shen Timothy R. Peters |
| author_sort | Jennifer M. Jackson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction Understanding population health in the context of infectious disease outbreaks is an important physician competency. However, identifying effective ways to engage early medical students in this content remains a challenge. We designed an innovative pandemic simulation for first-year medical students utilizing the pop culture theme of zombies. Methods This 2.5-hour simulation was conducted in 2018 and 2020 during students' virology course. Student teams collected and analyzed data to formulate hypotheses for the source pathogen. The teams completed reports explaining their diagnostic hypotheses, infection containment recommendations, and resource allocation recommendations. Learners completed an evaluation of the simulation through an online survey. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics; narrative responses were analyzed qualitatively for themes. A content analysis was performed on students' reports. Results Two hundred eighty-four medical students participated in this activity. Nearly all respondents agreed that the small-group format (98%, 2018 and 2020) and pace and duration (92%, 2018; 94%, 2020) were appropriate and that the activity was intellectually stimulating (97%, 2018; 96%, 2020). Learner engagement measures were high (90%-97%, 2018; 83%-96%, 2020). Analysis of students' reports revealed evidence of cognitive integration of virology, population health, and bioethics concepts, including integration of new learning content. Discussion Collaborative problem-solving during a simulated zombie-themed pandemic provided preclinical medical students with an engaging opportunity to integrate virology, population health, and bioethics concepts. Implementing this event required advanced planning, use of multiple spaces, learning materials preparation, and recruitment of several faculty, staff, and actors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T20:23:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a3b4d53f0d5141fc8d731740175d97c5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2374-8265 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T20:23:00Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | Association of American Medical Colleges |
| record_format | Article |
| series | MedEdPORTAL |
| spelling | doaj.art-a3b4d53f0d5141fc8d731740175d97c52022-12-22T04:04:46ZengAssociation of American Medical CollegesMedEdPORTAL2374-82652020-11-011610.15766/mep_2374-8265.11016The Zombie Virus Pandemic: An Innovative Simulation Integrating Virology, Population Health, and Bioethics for Preclinical Medical StudentsJennifer M. Jackson0E Shen1Timothy R. Peters2Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine; Co-Course Director, Clinical Skills Curriculum, Wake Forest School of Medicine; Co-Course Director, Virology Course, Wake Forest School of Medicine; Assistant Dean for Curricular Innovation, Wake Forest School of MedicineAssistant Professor, Department of General Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine; Director of Healthcare Teaching and Learning, Wake Forest School of MedicineProfessor, Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest School of Medicine; Associate Dean for Educational Strategy & Innovation, Wake Forest School of Medicine; Co-Course Director, Virology Course, Wake Forest School of MedicineIntroduction Understanding population health in the context of infectious disease outbreaks is an important physician competency. However, identifying effective ways to engage early medical students in this content remains a challenge. We designed an innovative pandemic simulation for first-year medical students utilizing the pop culture theme of zombies. Methods This 2.5-hour simulation was conducted in 2018 and 2020 during students' virology course. Student teams collected and analyzed data to formulate hypotheses for the source pathogen. The teams completed reports explaining their diagnostic hypotheses, infection containment recommendations, and resource allocation recommendations. Learners completed an evaluation of the simulation through an online survey. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics; narrative responses were analyzed qualitatively for themes. A content analysis was performed on students' reports. Results Two hundred eighty-four medical students participated in this activity. Nearly all respondents agreed that the small-group format (98%, 2018 and 2020) and pace and duration (92%, 2018; 94%, 2020) were appropriate and that the activity was intellectually stimulating (97%, 2018; 96%, 2020). Learner engagement measures were high (90%-97%, 2018; 83%-96%, 2020). Analysis of students' reports revealed evidence of cognitive integration of virology, population health, and bioethics concepts, including integration of new learning content. Discussion Collaborative problem-solving during a simulated zombie-themed pandemic provided preclinical medical students with an engaging opportunity to integrate virology, population health, and bioethics concepts. Implementing this event required advanced planning, use of multiple spaces, learning materials preparation, and recruitment of several faculty, staff, and actors.http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11016VirologyPopulation HealthEpidemiologyBioethicsSimulationBiostatistics & Epidemiology |
| spellingShingle | Jennifer M. Jackson E Shen Timothy R. Peters The Zombie Virus Pandemic: An Innovative Simulation Integrating Virology, Population Health, and Bioethics for Preclinical Medical Students MedEdPORTAL Virology Population Health Epidemiology Bioethics Simulation Biostatistics & Epidemiology |
| title | The Zombie Virus Pandemic: An Innovative Simulation Integrating Virology, Population Health, and Bioethics for Preclinical Medical Students |
| title_full | The Zombie Virus Pandemic: An Innovative Simulation Integrating Virology, Population Health, and Bioethics for Preclinical Medical Students |
| title_fullStr | The Zombie Virus Pandemic: An Innovative Simulation Integrating Virology, Population Health, and Bioethics for Preclinical Medical Students |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Zombie Virus Pandemic: An Innovative Simulation Integrating Virology, Population Health, and Bioethics for Preclinical Medical Students |
| title_short | The Zombie Virus Pandemic: An Innovative Simulation Integrating Virology, Population Health, and Bioethics for Preclinical Medical Students |
| title_sort | zombie virus pandemic an innovative simulation integrating virology population health and bioethics for preclinical medical students |
| topic | Virology Population Health Epidemiology Bioethics Simulation Biostatistics & Epidemiology |
| url | http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11016 |
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