Strategies for Health: a game-based, interprofessional approach to teaching social determinants of health: a randomized controlled pilot study

ABSTRACT

Knowledge of social determinants of health (SDH) can help students reduce health disparities and advance health equity and quality of life. This pilot study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Strategies for Health, an interprofessional game, in improving student knowledge regarding SDH as well as attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration when compared to or combined with didactic coursework. A mixed methods approach was utilized. Participants (N = 42) were divided into one of four groups: Control (A), gameplay (B), didactic module (C), and a combined didactic module followed by gameplay (D). Data was collected using a knowledge base test of SDH, the Interprofessional Attitudes Scale (IPAS), and qualitative feedback during gameplay and debriefing. SDH results indicated no significant differences within groups, but a combined pre-post indicated a significant improvement among Group D (p = .04). IPAS results indicated a statistically significant improvement in interprofessional attitudes of teamwork, roles, and responsibilities among Groups B and D. A combination of didactic learning and gameplay was the most effective approach to improving and maintaining SDH knowledge and attitudes toward IPE over time. These findings inform the need for interprofessional curricula that aim to improve health outcomes and advance health equity.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional education
• social determinants of health
• educational gaming
• interactive learning
• reflection

Acknowledgments

We thank our colleagues from the University of South Dakota who provided insight and expertise that assisted the research: Susan M. Anderson, MD, FAAFS; Katharine M. Bloom, MSW, LCSW-PIP; Teresa D. Egan, MSN, MS; Betty A. Hulse, PA, MS; JoAnn Kim, PhD, RN, CNE; John W. Korkow, PhD, MA; Angela Landeen, MS; Qiuwen Li, MFA; Kimberly Nerud, PhD, RN; and Kari Potter, MS, BS, BA.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a Seed Grant from the School of Health Sciences at the University of South Dakota.

Notes on contributors

Diana R. Feldhacker

Dr. Diana R. Feldhacker is an assistant professor of occupational therapy at Creighton University. She has an earned doctorate in OT and is a current PhD in Health Sciences candidate at the University of South Dakota. Her research interests include teaching and learning, chronic care, and vision.

Chelsea Wesner

Chelsea Wesner, MPH, MSW, is a research instructor in the Master of Public Health program at the University of South Dakota and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) student at the Colorado School of Public Health. She has worked with American Indian and Alaska Native communities for more than a decade across public health practice, research, and teaching. Her research interests include maternal and child health, food sovereignty, and behavioral health in Native American communities.

Jean Yockey

Dr. Jean Yockey is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of South Dakota. Dr. Yockey completed a PhD in Nursing Education with a scholarship focus on student learning success. Dr. Yockey helps plan and coordinate interprofessional activities within the School of Health Sciences that focus on Social Determinants of Health.

June Larson

Dr. June Larson served as a nurse educator and chair of nursing education at the University of South Dakota for 28 years, prior to becoming Associate Dean of the School of Health Sciences. During her ten-year tenure as Associate Dean, she developed a Health Sciences major that grew to 500 majors, with the responsibility of preparing individuals for interprofessional roles in health care and/or for graduate education in a health profession. Dr. Larson provided national leadership to nursing education and served on the Board of Governors for the National League for Nursing for six years.

Deb Norris

Dr. Debra Norris has served in undergraduate education for 30 years. She was a founding leader in the Interprofessional education efforts at the University of South Dakota and serves as Senior Lecturer and Program Director for the Bachelor of Science in Social Work.