07/25/2025
Imagine learning how to diagnose and treat a stroke not in a lecture hall, but by solving puzzles under pressure — clicking through clues, reviewing CT scans, decoding crossword-style clinical findings — all while the clock ticks down.
That’s exactly the experience Dr. Rani Priyanka Vasireddy, a movement disorders fellow and instructor in the UK College of Medicine’s Department of Neurology, has brought to life with a first-of-its-kind virtual neurology-themed escape room. Vasireddy along with Dr. Dhanya Gorty, an incoming UK neurology resident, developed the program to make medical education more engaging, interactive and fun. This innovative tool is already making waves in academic medicine.
“We’re neurologists — we love solving puzzles,” Dr. Vasireddy said. “So we asked ourselves, why can’t learning neurology feel like solving one? That’s how the escape room idea was born.”
The project was recently showcased at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting, where participants got a sneak peek into the game’s inaugural case: a simulated stroke alert scenario, where learners must gather information, assess symptoms and act quickly to “save the patient” — virtually, of course.
Unlike traditional simulations, where students respond to scripted patient scenarios in a lab setting, this digital escape room uses interactive elements and real-time feedback to guide learners through complex clinical reasoning.
“Instead of giving them the case upfront, they find the case,” Dr. Vasireddy said. “Every action leads to a clue — clicking on the patient’s face might reveal facial droop, while clicking on the leg may show weakness. It’s immersive and mimics real clinical thinking.”
Failure is built into the experience but in a way that promotes growth rather than discouragement. This approach fosters a growth mindset, allowing participants to learn from mistakes without fear of judgment.
“It’s the perfect blend of education and entertainment,” Dr. Gorty said. “And it works across training levels — from medical students to residents — because the challenge is in the process, not just the content.”
Learn more: https://uknow.uky.edu/uk-healthcare/no-patient-left-behind-virtual-escape-room-changes-game-neurology-education-uk
