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The RETAIN Simulation-Based Serious Game-A Review of the Literature
Simran K Ghoman1,2, Georg M Schmölzer1,2
1Centre for the Studies of Asphyxia and Resuscitation, Neonatal Research Unit, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, AB T5H 3V9, Canada.
Insights
The RETAIN serious game effectively trains and assesses neonatal resuscitation skills, improving knowledge by 12%. This simulation-based approach offers a valuable supplement to traditional methods for healthcare providers.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Simulation Training
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Over 13 million infants require breathing assistance at birth globally.
- Medical errors are common in neonatal resuscitation despite recommended training.
- Barriers to accessing traditional training necessitate alternative methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on the RETAIN simulation-based serious game for neonatal resuscitation education.
- To assess the usability, relevance, and impact of RETAIN on knowledge and assessment.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search across multiple databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, etc.).
- Inclusion of all studies describing RETAIN board and computer games.
- Analysis of identified papers and conference proceedings.
Main Results:
- RETAIN was found to be usable and clinically relevant.
- The game improved neonatal resuscitation knowledge by 12% and served as a summative assessment.
- Player mindset influenced performance within the RETAIN game.
Conclusions:
- RETAIN is suitable for training and assessing experienced neonatal resuscitation providers.
- Further research is needed to evaluate its impact on diverse skills, populations, and clinical outcomes.
- Comparative studies against standard training are required.
Abstract:
Background: Each year, over 13 million babies worldwide need help to breathe at birth. While guidelines recommend the Neonatal Resuscitation Program course, medical errors remain common. Frequent simulation training and assessment is needed to address this competence gap; however, alternative approaches are needed to overcome barriers to access. The RETAIN (REsuscitation TrAINing) simulation-based serious game (Retain Labs Medical Inc., Edmonton, AB, Canada) may provide a solution to supplement traditional training. This paper aims to review the available evidence about RETAIN for improving neonatal resuscitation education. Method: Literature searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases were performed to identify studies examining the RETAIN serious game for neonatal resuscitation training. All of the studies describing the RETAIN board game and computer game were included. Results: Three papers and one conference proceeding were identified. Two studies described the RETAIN board game, and two studies described the RETAIN computer game. RETAIN was reported as usable and clinically relevant. RETAIN also improved knowledge of neonatal resuscitation by 12% and functioned as a summative assessment. Further, performance on RETAIN was moderated by players' self-reported mindset. Conclusion: RETAIN can be used for the training and assessment of experienced neonatal resuscitation providers. Further studies are needed to understand the effectiveness of RETAIN to (i) improve other cognitive and non-cognitive skills, (ii) in diverse populations of neonatal resuscitation providers, (iii) in comparison to current standard training approaches, and (iv) in improving clinical outcomes in the delivery room.
