Put clinical knowledge to the test with Coagulate - a fast-paced, team-based game that makes learning and revising blood test terminology, laboratory investigations and clinical interpretation engaging and interactive.
Players work together to describe and identify key clinical terms, using their knowledge to explain results, recognise clinical significance and strengthen understanding through discussion. With a mix of teamwork, quick thinking and clinical reasoning, every turn creates an opportunity to learn.
Coagulate encourages players to move beyond simple recall and explain terms using clinical knowledge. Players can describe definitions, clinical significance, associated symptoms and conditions, and related concepts, helping to build confidence in discussing and interpreting laboratory investigations.
Whether used as a teaching activity, revision exercise, team-based learning session, simulation warm-up or workshop activity, Coagulate provides a flexible and engaging way to reinforce learning.
The game covers key areas including Arterial Blood Gases, Liver Function Tests, Urea & Electrolytes, Endocrine and Other Tests, and Full Blood Count, giving players the opportunity to test their knowledge across a range of common blood investigations.
Coagulate is suitable for students, trainees and healthcare professionals across a range of disciplines. It can be adapted for classroom teaching, revision sessions, workshops, conferences and other group learning environments.
Facilitators are encouraged to pause briefly after difficult cards to discuss key learning points and reinforce clinical understanding.
The emphasis should be on learning through discussion, explanation and teamwork rather than simply reaching the finish first.
Coagulate was created in partnership with St Barnabas Hospice Lincolnshire, a leading provider of specialist palliative and end-of-life care and healthcare education.
St Barnabas supports more than 12,500 patients, families and carers each year, delivering care across inpatient, community and wellbeing services. Alongside its clinical work, its growing education team provides professional learning and training in clinical and palliative care.
The project was led at St Barnabas by Sarah Christopher, Head of Education, an experienced paramedic, healthcare educator and simulation specialist.
Sarah brings extensive experience across frontline ambulance services, higher education and professional healthcare training. She previously developed and led the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science programme at the University of Lincoln and has more than 20 publications to her name.
Her particular interest in simulation and active learning in healthcare education helped shape Coagulate game, ensuring it combines clinical relevance with an engaging and practical approach to learning.
Together, St Barnabas Hospice and Focus Games have transformed clinical and educational expertise into a resource designed to get learners thinking, discussing and applying their knowledge.
