Learning from nerds
As medical students, they bonded over geek culture. As physicians, they developed a learning game in which diseases manifest as monsters and antibiotics as powerful warriors.
Learning from nerds
It was a geek field trip for Nerdcore Learning's Dr. Francis Kong (from left), Hon Wen Chong and Dr. Arun Mathews. The two doctors said they created "The Healing Blade" game to "speak to medical students like us -- intrigued with geek culture but are super excited about medicine and learning." Chong, a medical student, created the company's iPhone app.
Learning from nerds
A bite or scratch from this fearsome were-creature can cause infection leading to bacteremia, osteomyelitis or septic arthritis. The only way to stop it is to summon apothecary warrior teams.
Learning from nerds
It may not look like Coxiella burnetii, but in "The Healing Blade," this is the agent that causes Q fever. In the game, the Q stands for question, which is what this creature asks its intended victim, killing it if the answer is incorrect.
Learning from nerds
Old warriors, like old antibiotics, may not be as powerful as those of newer generations, but they still have some fight left in them. This sullen brute is used only in serious infectious conflicts for which less potentially dangerous Apothecary Healers are ineffective or contraindicated.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Posted with the April 26, 2010 issue - Accompanying article: Doctors make game out of learning infection control
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