A New Method of Teaching about Psychopathology and the Mental Status Examination

Abstract

The mental status examination (MSE) is an important component of clinical assessment. Medical training programs must adjust their teaching methods to facilitate MSE learning. This study aimed to describe a set of playful and purposeful strategies developed in a public university in Brazil to teach about psychopathology and the MSE. The teaching strategies were developed in the form of word search, crosswords, and syllable puzzles to catch students’ attention and enhance their training process. They were designed to help improve visual perception, focused attention, processing speed and agility, vocabulary, and familiarity with specialized terminology. The results showed that the teaching strategies created a relaxed environment, providing instant feedback and allowing for productive failure. All students reported satisfaction with the learning experience. Games and creative activities, such as crosswords, word search, and syllable puzzles, can be effective teaching methods to be applied in medical schools or similar institutions where psychopathology and the MSE are taught.