Head to head searching: the Search&Destroy card game in the health sciences classroom
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2026.2299Keywords:
game-based learning, Games, card games, game design, gamification, game developmentAbstract
Background: Games are a promising way to make health sciences education more engaging and improve synthesis for learners. There have been some successful implementations of game-based learning for health sciences library instruction [1], but there is room for development of games tailored specifically for teaching database searching skills to health sciences students.
Case Presentation: The authors developed a biomedical edition of the existing library instruction card game Search&Destroy. The original Search&Destroy was developed as an alternative way to teach a one-shot instructional session on search skills using a discovery layer in an academic library for undergraduates. The biomedical edition modified the game to work with PubMed and incorporate health science-specific searching skills. Keyword cards were updated with biomedical terms and new cards were added with filters and actions related to health sciences literature searching (e.g., last five years, systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials filters). The new version was play tested internally by the authors and then piloted in classes with nurse residents. The game is now available through the print-on-demand service The Game Crafter and teaching materials are available online.
Conclusions: Feedback from our pilot test group of nurse residents was overwhelmingly positive. Informal conversations with nurse educators responsible for the program were also positive, and the game has been incorporated in the curriculum for the future. The Biomedical Edition joins a growing family of Search&Destroy games designed for a variety of library instruction needs.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Lena Bohman, Regina Vitiello, Christiana Keinath, Gary Maxiner, Mari Kermit-Canfield
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