Medscrab 1.1

Medication non-adherence results in a yearly cost of over $30 billion in the USA. One of the key factors contributing to patient non-adherence is a lack of knowledge about their medications. Currently, patients receive medication information through Patient Package Inserts (PPI) and printed labels provided by the pharmacy. However, these materials are often disregarded or discarded by patients.

Introducing MedScrab, a word-based game designed to educate patients about their medication information through gamification. Currently, MedScrab focuses on drugs related to cardiovascular and mental health diseases. The medication information used in the game is sourced from reliable references such as Lexicomp, the USFDA website for drug information, and the Patient Package Inserts provided by the manufacturer. To ensure accuracy, the medication information used in MedScrab has been validated by two practicing clinical pharmacists with extensive clinical experience.

MedScrab's gameplay begins with a registration page where users must sign up using a valid email address and date of birth. After registration, users can log in using their email address and year of birth. MedScrab presents medication information through five levels of word scrabble games, with each level focusing on a different aspect of medication knowledge:

• Indication: The uses of the medication
• Warning: When and why the medication cannot be taken
• Adverse effect: The undesired harmful consequences of using the medication
• Interaction: The reactions between the medication and food, beverages, or other medications
• Counseling: Basic advice such as what to avoid, when, and how to take the medication

In each level, users encounter a black box warning associated with the medication, which is considered vital information that all users should be aware of. After completing each level, users are presented with a short question to assess their knowledge regarding the specific category of medication information. Once all five levels are finished, users can review their overall knowledge about the medication they played. For every correctly played scrabble word or question answered, users earn 10 points.