Potential of role play as an educational tool in biochemistry to facilitate medical education

Abstract

Commonly used traditional didactic lecture in biochemistry being non-interactive has several disadvantages which students find boring and difficult to retain. This study reviews the potential of role play to teach biochemistry effectively. Studies published till June 2024 on the topic role play in medical education and biochemistry were searched using 'Ovid Discovery' software showing studies available in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Studies having matched keywords like 'role play, roleplay, role-play, education, medical, biochemistry and genetics' appearing in title or text article were included while studies that were irrelevant, in non-English language or duplicated studies were excluded. Literature search revealed 8 studies for reviewing the topic. Studies that have tested effectiveness of role play in biochemistry have shown that it can bridge the gap between theory and practice. Role play is dramatization of a theme simulating real-life scenarios evoking learner's critical thinking process, activation of cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains. It creates lasting memory in retaining topics besides motivating student for self-directed learning. It also develops confidence, communication, and language skills among students. Role play can be a powerful tool to teach biochemistry for integrating knowledge of biochemistry with clinical concepts. The authors recommend that biochemistry lectures and practical sessions should be reinforced through role plays especially for topics having clinical relevance. The author proposes several applications of role play in biochemistry to demonstrate metabolic pathways, experimental skills, metabolic disorders, accidental emergencies in lab, do's and don'ts in labs, pre analytical errors affecting biochemistry lab results.

Keywords: biochemistry; integration; medical education; role play; teaching.