Dysphagia Game
An educational board game that helps frontline health and social care staff identify and manage dysphagia more effectively. The game is an easy to use group learning tool that takes less than 60 minutes and doesn't require a specialist facilitator or trainer. Everything you need to help staff improve dysphagia management is in the box. Playing the game will help players to explore, discuss and learn about:
- Prevalence and impact of dysphagia
- Causes of dysphagia
- Recognising dysphagia
- Reducing risks and improving management
- Different dysphagia diets
The game was developed in partnership with a group of leading practitioners and academics from:
- NHS England
- Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- British Dietetic Association
- BAPEN (British Association of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition)
- National Nurses Nutrition Group
In contrast with direct classroom teaching, the Dysphagia Game provides an additional way of teaching key information and practical strategies about dysphagia to care staff in a fun and informal manner. Although a qualified trainer is not required for the game to be played, the game is designed as a supplement and not a substitute for formal, theoretical-based teaching by a qualified health professional. Games are effective for learning as they increase enthusiasm, encourage active debate, create flow, flatten hierarchies, give positive emotions and improve decision-making.
The box contains everything you need to run a successful session making it highly portable. Just pop it in your bag and use it for team meetings, study days, workshops, lunch meetings and events.
How to play the Dysphagia Game
The game is modelled on Snakes and Ladders and the key to its effectiveness is the reflective discussions that it encourages among participants.
The game is designed for 2 teams and can accommodate between 4 and 12 players. It takes between 30 and 60 minutes to play and can be used in a range of care settings. Each game contains 41 question cards designed to raise awareness, improve knowledge, stimulate discussion and improve delivery of dysphagia care.
The game also includes practical activities for players to develop their skills, and give them insight into how a person might experience dysphagia.
After playing the game staff feel more confident recognising and managing people with dysphagia. The objective is to increase patient safety due to better knowledge, awareness and management.
What do people think?
Participant feedback on the Dysphagia Game has been overwhelmingly positive, stating how the game is fun, informative and that it improves knowledge of a range of issues affecting people with dysphagia.
Testimonials from community residential support staff include,
“I liked being against another team. I also liked the activities of experiencing how an individual with dysphagia would feel”.
“Interactive, more fun, feel I learnt more”
“Attention to the topic isn't lost; it’s fun so you remain concentrated and the information “sticks” in your brain”
“It has the practical aspect that helps you understand how affected people have difficulty eating/swallowing”
