Critical Care Cadets: A Serious Game for Managing Mechanical Ventilation

Background: Pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM) fellows require proficiency in mechanical respiratory support and ventilator management strategies. Traditional training methods have limitations, and there is a need to expedite the learning process. Serious games have emerged as effective supplements to traditional teaching methods, promoting knowledge acquisition through immersive and engaging experiences. However, there is a void in the context of complex decision making in mechanical ventilation management. Objective: To develop a serious game to enhance the knowledge and practical strategies of PCCM fellows in mechanical ventilation management. Methods: The game was designed on the basis of theory-informed design principles and employed an iterative development process. A mixed methods approach, grounded in the Model for the Evaluation of Educational Games, was used for evaluation of usability, player experience, satisfaction, and learning outcomes. Game play and evaluation occurred in July 2022. Results: Our game proved highly engaging, enjoyable, and facilitated learning among the PCCM fellows. The evaluation data indicated high ratings in all Model for the Evaluation of Educational Games domains. The fellows reported achieving the learning objectives and demonstrated knowledge gained in post-game play modified essay questions, and the game received positive feedback. Conclusion: The developed serious game fills an educational gap in complex decision making in mechanical ventilation management. By using theory-informed design principles and an iterative development process, the game effectively enhanced the knowledge and practical skills of PCCM fellows. The positive outcomes and feedback from the evaluation support the use of serious games as innovative educational tools in medical education.