Case-Based Serious Gaming for Complication Management in Colorectal and Pancreatic Surgery: Prospective Observational...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Serious Gaming Technology

Background:

• Effective management of postoperative complications in pancreatic and colorectal surgery is crucial for patient outcomes.
• Early recognition and timely therapy can significantly reduce the risk and impact of serious complications.
• Serious gaming (SG) offers an innovative pedagogical approach for clinical education, enhancing decision-making skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a case-based serious gaming (SG) platform for managing complications in pancreatic and colorectal surgery.
• To assess the acceptance and effectiveness of the SG platform in clinical education by evaluating usability and applicability.
• To compare the performance of healthcare professionals with varying experience levels using the SG platform.

Main Methods:

• A novel SG platform was developed with 6 realistic patient cases of postoperative complications.
• 131 healthcare professionals prospectively used the platform, triaging virtual patients and designing management plans.
• Participant performance was compared to clinical guidelines, and usability/applicability were assessed via the Trier Teaching Evaluation Inventory.

Main Results:

• Physicians demonstrated superior selection of therapeutic measures compared to non-physicians.
• The SG platform received positive ratings for design, structure, relevance, timeliness, and interest.
• A majority of participants found the SG platform superior to conventional methods for problem-solving, self-reflection, usability, and applicability.

Conclusions:

• Case-based serious gaming presents significant educational potential for surgical complication management.
• The developed SG platform can contribute to improved postoperative patient care through enhanced clinical decision-making.
• Serious gaming is a valuable tool for surgical training, offering a more engaging and effective learning experience.