The Flare Games: gamified dermatology CPD that sticks
On Thursday 22 October 2026, Bright Med brought dermatology multidisciplinary teams together at Willan House, London, for The Flare Games: a CPD-approved learning day built around competition rather than slides. Teams battled through complex cases in psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and the feedback shows that this new, gamified way of learning worked.
The Flare Games at a glance
Date: Thursday 22 October 2026
Venue: Willan House, London, home of the British Association of Dermatologists
Format: A gamified, team-based learning day combining expert lectures with timed case challenges
Conditions covered: Psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa
Accreditation: CPD approved
A new way to learn: gamified dermatology CPD
Most CPD days follow a familiar pattern: a run of lectures, a few questions at the end, and a lot to remember on the journey home. The Flare Games was built to change that.
Delegates were grouped into multidisciplinary teams, each representing a district, so every table brought together different roles and levels of experience. Each condition then followed the same three-step cycle:
Learn: an expert lecture on the changing treatment landscape.
Compete: a timed challenge in which each district debated complex case scenarios and submitted its decisions.
Unpack: a feedback lecture walking through every case and the reasoning behind each decision.
The cases were deliberately complex, the kind with no single textbook answer, so teams had to debate, weigh the options and commit to a decision against the clock. Every answer was scored: 10 points for a fully correct answer, 3 for a partially correct one, and a 2-point bonus for the first district to submit a correct answer. A live scoreboard kept the pressure on until the closing ceremony, where the Flare Games champion district was crowned.
Why gamification?
Gamification means using game elements, such as points, time limits and competition, in a learning setting. A systematic review of gamification in health professions education found that combining assessment with challenge or competition increased learners' engagement with the material, and in some studies improved learning outcomes (van Gaalen et al., 2021). That is exactly the combination The Flare Games was designed around: a score for every decision, and a rival table across the room.
What we covered
The programme focused on three inflammatory skin conditions where treatment decisions have changed most in recent years: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa.
Psoriasis with Dr Kave Shams
Dr Kave Shams, consultant dermatologist in Leeds and Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Leeds, opened the clinical programme with the changing treatment landscape in psoriasis. Districts then took on the first set of case scenarios, followed by a session unpacking each case.
Atopic dermatitis with Dr Thomas King
Dr Thomas King, consultant dermatologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, led the atopic dermatitis block: a lecture on the evolving treatment options, a case challenge and a feedback session working through the decisions.
Hidradenitis suppurativa with Dr Ellie Rashid
Dr Ellie Rashid, consultant dermatologist and Clinical Lead for the complex HS tertiary service at St John's Institute of Dermatology, closed the clinical programme with a focus on matching the right treatment to the right patient. Her cases formed the final, decisive challenge of the day.
Sponsored symposium
The day also included a symposium sponsored by medac pharma, in which Dr Alia Ahmed spoke on psychological challenges in dermatology clinical practice. This was the only part of the programme with any sponsor involvement.
Comprehensive and unbiased by design
Across all three conditions, the lectures and cases covered the full range of treatment options, from established approaches to the newest advanced therapies, with no inclination towards any particular medicine. Delegates noticed, and the balanced overview was one of the strengths they picked out in their feedback.
What delegates told us
T
he response was overwhelmingly positive. Every delegate who completed the evaluation form said they would attend another Bright Med event and would recommend it to a colleague.
Learning that sticks
The theme that came through most strongly was retention. Delegates found that debating real cases against the clock helped the learning stay with them far better than listening alone.
"Having discussions with competitive time limit helped retain the information. All lectures were excellent." Delegate feedback
"Excellent presentations of complex cases. Amazing speakers. Breakout groups in a competitive environment really helpful to help retain information from presentations. Look forward to next one!" Google review
Engaging, exciting and fun
The energy in the room was noticeable from the first challenge. Delegates described the day as engaging, exciting and positive, and the competition kept every table involved, whatever their role or level of experience.
"Very interactive and fun session would definitely recommend" Google review
"Great format - lovely explanations and very interesting cases discussed." Delegate feedback
Comprehensive and unbiased
Delegates valued the breadth of the content and the even-handed way every therapy option was presented.
"Non biased approach and broader explanation of different biologics." Delegate feedback
"Excellent seminar. Very informative. Would recommend for anybody who is trying to understand advanced treatments for dermatology conditions" Google review
"Very informative sessions and dermatologists cover details with their clinical experience. Excellent!" Google review
The scores
Scientific quality, quality of speakers, balance of teaching and interaction, and organisation each averaged 4.6 out of 5.
Every session was rated between 4.4 and 4.5 out of 5.
The event received a run of five-star Google reviews in the days that followed.
In-person teaching was the clear preferred format among respondents.
A truly multidisciplinary room
The Flare Games was designed for the whole inflammatory skin disease team, and the room reflected that. Consultant dermatologists, dermatology registrars, junior doctors, GPs, specialist nurses, pharmacy and allied health colleagues came together from across London and beyond. Mixing roles at every table brought a different perspective into each debate.
"Fantastic multi-disciplinary educational event today with talks and case discussions on complex management decisions relating to best treatment of patients with eczema, psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa. Thank you. Highly recommend." Google review
SUPPORTED BY: Almirall, medac pharma and LEO Pharma
Our sponsors have provided financial support for this meeting. Almirall, medac pharma and LEO Pharma have had no involvement in the agenda, selection of speakers or programme content, other than the medac pharma sponsored symposium. All other content was developed independently by the organisers.
What's next
If you missed The Flare Games, the best way to hear about future events first is to register with Bright Med. Membership is open to verified UK healthcare professionals and gives you access to CPD webinars, on-demand learning and clinical tools such as our PASI calculator.
In the meantime, explore our guides on hidradenitis suppurativa in primary care, eczema mimics and differential diagnosis, assessing eczema severity with EASI, POEM and DLQI and how to calculate a PASI score.
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Frequently asked questions
What is The Flare Games?
The Flare Games is a gamified dermatology CPD day from Bright Med, approved for CPD credits. Multidisciplinary teams compete to solve complex cases in psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa, with expert lectures and feedback sessions between each challenge.
What is gamified learning in medical education?
Gamified learning uses game elements such as points, time limits, teams and competition in an educational setting. The aim is to increase engagement and help learners apply and retain what they learn.
Who is The Flare Games for?
Dermatology nurses, GPs, pharmacists, doctors and allied health professionals who care for patients with inflammatory skin disease.
Did the sponsors influence the content?
No. Almirall, medac pharma and LEO Pharma provided financial support only. Apart from the medac pharma sponsored symposium, they had no involvement in the agenda, the selection of speakers or the programme content.
How can I hear about future Bright Med events?
Register with Bright Med. Members hear first about upcoming in-person events, webinars and new clinical education tools.
