A serious game can be a valid method to train clinical decision-making in surgery

Area of Science:

• Medical Education Technology
• Surgical Training Simulation
• Serious Gaming in Healthcare

Background:

• A novel serious game was developed to enhance clinical decision-making skills in surgical residents for biliary tract disease.
• Serious gaming offers an innovative approach to postgraduate medical training, integrating education and assessment.
• Limited evidence exists on the validity of serious games in medical education, necessitating this study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the face, content, and construct validity of a serious game designed for biliary tract disease management training.
• To assess the game's ability to differentiate between various levels of surgical expertise.
• To evaluate the perceived realism and teaching effectiveness of the serious game.

Main Methods:

• Medical content of the serious game was validated by subject matter experts.
• Forty-one participants (surgeons, residents, interns, medical students) played the game.
• Decision scores, speed, and post-game questionnaire data were analyzed to determine validity and discriminatory ability.

Main Results:

• The game demonstrated significant discriminatory ability, with higher scores observed in more experienced participants (e.g., surgeons scored 77%).
• Trainees showed improved performance in subsequent play sessions, indicating a learning effect.
• Participants found the game realistic, useful, fun, and challenging, with high recommendation rates for educational use.

Conclusions:

• The serious game possesses strong discriminatory ability and teaching capabilities for biliary tract disease management.
• The game is perceived as appealing and realistic by both educators and trainees.
• Serious gaming holds significant potential to improve engagement and adherence in surgical residency and medical school training programs.