Abstract

Introduction: Pharmacology is a course in pharmacy and related medical sciences. A thorough understanding of pharmacology is crucial in appropriate drug prescription. Incorporating active teaching methods can make these classes more engaging and improve quality of learning.
Materials & Methods:  This article introduces various methods of using games in the teaching of pharmacology and the advantages and disadvantages of this approach. The databases PubMed and Google Scholar were systematically searched using the keywords educational reconstruction, flashcards, simulation, escape room challenge, board games, reality-based games, and pharmacology. Additionally, reference lists of the retrieved articles were screened to identify further relevant studies. Articles published in English or Persian, with no time restrictions, were included in the preparation of this manuscript.
Results: Gamification methods are very effective for teaching pharmacology. Tools such as digital and analog flashcards, drug interaction simulators, escape room challenges, board games, and augmented reality games are examples that enhance students’ understanding and make the subject enjoyable. Game-based learning offers several advantages, such as promoting cooperation and group learning, enhancing information retention through interactive gameplay, increasing motivation and participation in the learning process, and improving critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Several challenges arise when using games in education including a lack of focus on learning due to the excitement of the game, dependence on technology, and the need for special equipment.
Conclusion: Many analog and digital games have been proposed to gamify educational content in pharmacology. Digital games offer several advantages due to their convenience and automatic scoring. However, challenges such as resource limitations and design costs still exist. Digital platforms need specific technological tools and adequate knowledge from instructors for effective design. In teaching pharmacology, the method of content delivery is crucial. In the future, teaching will likely be provided to learners through a collaborative approach involving educational designers, given the variety of methods and the specific skills required.