Experiential learning has taken a creative turn in PCOM Georgia’s Department of Physical Therapy. Earlier this month, a group of 25 second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students participated in “Escape Rooms” specifically designed to aid in their exam preparation.
Led by Shelley DiCecco, PT, PHD, CLT-LANA, CI-CS, interim chair and associate professor, the escape room is a game-based approach where students are tasked to solve a series of PT-related questions in order to escape the room within a 90-minute timeframe.
What was the purpose behind this engaging activity? “We hope that they all pass!” said Dr. DiCecco.
The room was tailored to include questions covering a wide array of modalities, including Manual Therapy, Mechanical Traction, Ultrasound, Electrical Stimulation Therapy, Hydrotherapy and Aquatic Therapy, Therapeutic Taping, Dry Needling, and PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) techniques.
The setup included ten exam tables, each with five questions. Students had three opportunities to turn their answers into the judges’ panel and earn keys, which served as small tokens of progress. Judges included fellow PCOM Georgia faculty members, Dr. Elizabeth Chaffin, Dr. Philip Fabrizio, and Dr. Shantia Warren.
Collecting ten keys earned them a bonus: an additional two points on their final exam, providing an incentive to master the material.
Dr. DiCecco explained that the activity is designed not only to reinforce knowledge, but also to promote teamwork and encourage early study habits. “It makes the students start studying earlier, and provides a fun way to do it– there’s no penalty here,” she said.
Now in its fourth year, DiCecco’s escape room activity exemplifies how PCOM Georgia faculty continue to integrate gamification and fun into studying, ensuring students stay motivated and well-prepared for success—no matter what room they’re in.
PCOM Georgia has been serving students and the community for 20 years as a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education established in 1899. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
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