Epidemic Crisis Manager
Epidemic Crisis Manager is an Interactive.li-based, ready-to-run interactive session.
The serious game challenges policymakers to respond to the spread of an infectious disease with measures to contain the outbreak while minimising the impact on the economy.
Designed for medical students, policymakers, and public health professionals, Epidemic Crisis Manager serves as a training tool for outbreak preparedness, academic courses on epidemiology, and workshops on crisis governance.
Understanding the Challenge
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of public health systems and the economic vulnerabilities tied to crisis response. Policymakers were faced with difficult decisions: enforce lockdowns and risk recession, or keep the economy open and risk overwhelming hospitals. Traditional lectures often fall short in capturing the dynamic and complex trade-offs involved in such crises.
Why Game-Based Learning?
Simulation and gamification offer a powerful alternative to conventional teaching methods. Epidemic Crisis Manager transforms participants from passive recipients into active decision-makers, enabling them to explore complex scenarios in real time. The game format promotes critical thinking, collaboration, and strategic planning, while engaging participants in a memorable way.
Inside Epidemic Crisis Manager
In this serious game, participants take on the role of regional policymakers tasked with containing a fast-spreading virus while mitigating economic disruption. Each round begins with a briefing, followed by group discussions and strategy submissions. The integrated simulators model both infection dynamics and economic impacts, providing immediate feedback on each group’s decisions.
The Science Behind the Simulation
At its core, the game uses a System Dynamics model based on the classic SIR framework to simulate disease spread. An Input-Output model estimates the economic consequences of policy decisions such as school closures, lockdowns, and targeted recovery packages. The system transparently links interventions to epidemiological and macroeconomic outcomes, making the learning both intuitive and evidence-based.
Learning Outcomes
Participants are introduced to key concepts in epidemic modelling and economic systems analysis. They learn how different containment measures affect transmission rates and economic performance, and how to manage the trade-offs between public health and financial stability. The session also builds awareness of the importance of data-driven decision-making in times of crisis.
A Dynamic Learning Experience
Epidemic Crisis Manager showcases the benefits of simulation-based learning, including interactivity, immediate feedback, and team-based decision-making. The format encourages dialogue, sharpens analytical skills, and helps learners internalise the uncertainties and pressures faced by real-world decision-makers during health emergencies.
Take the Next Step
Prepare your audience for the complexities of future health emergencies. Explore Epidemic Crisis Manager or contact us to schedule a live demonstration and experience the power of simulation-based learning.
