Health Media Lab has today released a PC game entitled D.M. Dinwiddie, Physician-in-Training, which is designed to teach children how to identify, diagnose, and treat 12 common medical conditions. The game, which has been developed and tested under grants from the National Institutes of Health, sees players assuming the titular role of 12-year-old D.M. Dinwiddie, who is trying to earn a Medical Arts Achievement Badge during spring break.

　　"Although many software titles and Web sites offer basic information about anatomy, medical conditions, and disease prevention, we wanted to offer children a more interactive and entertaining approach to these important subjects," said D. Michael Anderson, Ph.D., M.P.H., a leading expert in the application of multimedia technologies to health education, and president of Health Media Lab.

　　As players progress through the game investigating a series of medical mysteries, they'll have to complete math and word puzzles, science experiments, and scavenger hunts. Both home and academic versions of D.M. Dinwiddie are available, and further information on the game can be found at the game's official Web site.