Implementing an Escape Room for Clinical Skills Practice in a Paediatrics Clerkship

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Experiential Learning
• Gamification in Healthcare

Background:

• Traditional simulation lacks active experimentation, a key part of Kolb's experiential learning cycle.
• Escape rooms offer gamification to enhance learner engagement in medical training.
• The study aimed to integrate an escape room into a pediatric clerkship curriculum.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the feasibility of incorporating an escape room post-simulation.
• To provide an effective independent learning experience for medical students.
• To enhance active experimentation within the existing curriculum.

Main Methods:

• A 40-minute escape room activity was designed using self-determination theory principles.
• Students (N=66) in a pediatric clerkship participated over one academic year.
• Teams of 3-5 students applied nine clinical skills to solve puzzles related to an unstable child scenario.

Main Results:

• Students reported increased knowledge post-simulation and escape room.
• Confidence increased after completing the escape room, indicating successful active experimentation.
• Students valued applying skills, practicing teamwork, and the gamified learning approach.

Conclusions:

• The pediatric clerkship escape room is a novel integration of gamified learning.
• It provides independent practice of clinical skills in a fun, engaging manner.
• Escape rooms are a feasible and effective method for hands-on clinical learning.