Ferris State University College of Pharmacy students have an opportunity to improve patient care skills through an “Under Pressure: A Blood Pressure Board Game,” an innovative learning tool developed with experts on campus and around the state.

Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice Shelby Kelsh connected with faculty, campus experts, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Technology Transfer Talent Network at the University of Michigan to develop the game, which is showing positive results.

Kelsh saw the chance to augment the abilities of second-year pharmacy students whose curriculum was being adjusted as part of a review undertaken during program accreditation.

She participated in sessions with Ferris’ Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning, which put her in search of games that might heighten pharmacy student awareness and their level of response.

“There was no comparable activity that would help us advance this aspect of student learning,” Kelsh said.   

Kelsh said she took his concerns to the eLearning operation in Ferris’ Extended and International Operations department during Summer 2022, where staff members offered support in the game’s basic construction.   

“I wanted a board game that applied blood pressure treatment concepts to patient scenarios and required teamwork, critical thinking, and verbal communication,” she said. “Working with notecards and handwritten papers, we moved to clip art and printed copies, as ‘Under Pressure’ started to come together.”  

The game’s framework was tested during the Fall 2022 semester.  

“We received very encouraging results,” Kelsh said. “The room was alive.”  

Kelsh sought and received a Faculty Research Grant and collaboration from the Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University to get the game physically composed. Graphic Arts students Alexis Schineman and Sabrina Nelson developed board and game art.  

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Director Thomas Dowling said an in-state resource, the Innovation Partnerships program at the University of Michigan also assisted Kelsh in her processes.  

“Karen Studer-Rabeler and her peer, Mary Jo Cartwright, were excited by what Shelby presented to them,” Dowling said. “They are mentors-in residence with the Technology Transfer Talent Network which is supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Cartwright has career experience in healthcare entrepreneurial activities and encouraged Kelsh to participate in a Fast Forward Medical Innovation ‘FastPace’ workshop for innovators looking to commercialize ideas and products, including identifying viable audiences and manufacturers.”  

In the Fall 2023 semester, Pharmacy students who used “Under Pressure” offered positive reviews, encouraging Kelsh as she sought greater utilization of the game.  

“The pharmacy knowledge related to the game improved after playing by five to 20 percent, while the material not used in the game had no change after playing,” Kelsh said. “This is encouraging that the game is achieving its learning objectives. Another College of Pharmacy professor, Qian Ding, is assisting with statistics and analyzing our research about the game.”  

Kelsh also said the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy is also pursuing a 2024 Scholarship of Teaching/Learning Research Grant to move beyond their demonstration project.  

“Everything points to ‘Under Pressure’ being an amazing resource for development and production by potential academic publishing groups,” Dowling said. “This type of educational innovation has a real prospect of licensing and national exposure for Shelby’s product, in what would be a benefit, not only to pharmacy schools but to interprofessional instruction as a discipline.”