BIC Trend

Can a game of cards help improve patient safety and care ?

To leverage people ’ s natural desire for learning , socializing , competition and achievement , hospitals and healthcare facilities are finding new and more engaging ways to enhance required ongoing training , critical in updating and reinforcing infection prevention and other clinical standardization programs and protocols . Gamification — the process of adding games or game-like elements — may be the answer .

“ During COVID , we were looking for new and innovative ways to engage our audience remotely and began to think outside the box about how to build confidence and retention of information . As a result , our activities have been moving more and more toward gamification models ,” says Geoff Kass , Director of Medline University , which offers more than 275 free acute and postacute care courses for clinicians and other healthcare professionals . “ Gamification of clinical content can be a simple , fun way to educate and reinforce basic standards and protocols .”

Brenda Kozak , Senior Clinical Education Specialist , Medline . “ Some of the models in gamification that we use for Medline University courses include scenariobased modules , graphics , gameshow avatars , time-based matching quizzes , and awards such as badges .”

Generational appeal Use of gamification in continuing education can appeal cross-generationally . However , each group has different strengths and ways of learning that need to be considered . For example , Generation X tend to be independent learners , and a game allows users to progress at their own ability and speed . Millennials like instant feedback ; games provide that . Generation Z is used to learning through multiple channels , and games can be one of those channels .

The benefits of gamification in medical education have been well documented . For instance , according to a recent Clinical Anatomy study , gamification can “ improve learning , engagement and cooperation by allowing for real-world application . They may also help with promoting risk-free healthcare decisionmaking , remote learning , learning analytics , and quick feedback .”

As a result , a growing number of medical schools are utilizing gamified training platforms , including educational games , mobile medical apps , and virtual patient scenarios . And future doctors will expect to encounter these types of continuing education applications throughout their careers .

Healthcare education can be delivered in the form of simulations , virtual reality ( VR ) and augmented reality ( AR ) constructs , and games . Some other examples include escape rooms , videos , and interactive electronic games .

Clinical examples Acute and post-acute facilities can also incorporate gamification into their education systems . These processes build a spirit of teamwork and provide a healthy , robust work culture environment .

Virtual reality in the acute space provides a major benefit . It allows healthcare professionals to practice their work . For instance , surgeons can use virtual reality simulations to practice

“ Gamification is definitely a growing trend in healthcare education ,” says

References https :// pubmed . ncbi . nlm . nih . gov / 35637557 /#:~: text = Virtual % 20patient % 20simulations % 20have % 20 been , learning % 20analytics % 2C % 20and % 20quick % 20feedback .

16 SUPPLY CHAIN OPTIMIZATION Issue 6 / 2023