Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
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A team of students and teachers Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies The Novosibirsk State University Institute of Medical Technology (IMMT) has summarized the results of the educational project "Treponemas and Scala"—a unique educational event in the field of clinical medicine and medical education. The project received support from the Rosmolodezh.Grants grant competition.
The project was developed during a dermatovenereology course and was the result of collaborative work between students and faculty from the NSU Institute of Medical and Technological Technologies. The idea, conceived by Doctor of Medical Sciences and Professor Irina Gennadyevna Sergeeva, was realized in the form of an educational board game aimed at raising awareness of syphilis—its clinical presentation, diagnosis, prevention, and social significance.
Students from the NSU Institute of Medical and Technical Medicine (IMMT) participated in the game's development: Polina Datta, Valeria Serdyuk, Elizaveta Aleksandrovich, and Anna Deryagina. The team was supervised by Vladimir Vladimirovich Popov, an assistant professor in the Department of Fundamental Medicine at the NSU Institute of Medical and Technical Medicine. As part of the workshop, students Polina Ignatenko and Laura Daudova also created a board game, "Syphilis.Ink."
Both games received high praise from experts and generated keen interest among students, teachers, and doctors, many of whom continue to take the initiative to hold new tours and educational meetings.
The Treponema and Ladders project included a series of in-person tournaments: at NSU (April 2025), at the Batunin Readings conference of dermatovenerologists (PIMU, Nizhny Novgorod), and at the University Meetings interregional conference (December 2025, NSU).
The game format allowed participants to interactively discuss a delicate, yet clinically and socially important topic.
Anonymous testing conducted before and after the gaming sessions demonstrated improved knowledge and clinical judgment, particularly in the areas of prevention and early detection of syphilis, as syphilis in clinical practice often acts as a "great imitator," masquerading as a wide range of dermatological, neurological, and systemic diseases. Therefore, developing clinical judgment skills in students and young professionals, enabling them to consider syphilitic infection as a possible cause of symptoms of various etiologies, is particularly valuable.
Participants highly praised the format, noting the reduced barriers to discussing the topic, and expressed interest in holding similar events regularly. Participants included students, residents, and young doctors, who noted that such games not only build knowledge but also confidence in professional communication with patients.
Novosibirsk State University, one of the country's leading research universities, provided comprehensive support to the project. The university and faculty's support, methodological assistance, organizational resources, and facilities enabled not only the project's implementation but also its further development.
The project was more than just a game initiative—it demonstrated that modern interactive formats make it possible to discuss sensitive clinical topics openly, professionally, and without stigma.
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