Educational game improves systems thinking, socialization, and teamwork among students of 13 health professions programs.

Systems thinking and interprofessional collaborative practice competencies are critical to inculcate in students of health professions programs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact that an interprofessional education (IPE) experience consisting of an educational game, Friday Night at the ER (FNER), and structured debriefing had on students' systems thinking and self-assessed interprofessional socialization and teamwork skills. Systems thinking was evaluated using the Systems Thinking Scale (STS), and interprofessional socialization and teamwork were evaluated using a modified Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale-9 (ISVS-9) and Interprofessional Collaboration Competency Attainment Scale (ICCAS) question #21. This single-center study targeted students in 13 health professions programs. In the cohort (N of 626), Systems thinking increased significantly. Interprofessional socialization increased significantly, with a large effect size, and 485 (78%) students indicated their interprofessional collaborative practice competencies improved. Program evaluation data revealed students highly valued the experience and would recommend it to their peers. Based on our findings, an IPE experience consisting of FNER gameplay and structured debriefing can improve systems thinking and interprofessional socialization and teamwork in a large, diverse group of students of health professions programs.