The effect of patient safety escape rooms on nursing students' knowledge level and team cooperation

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of escape room game design, an active teaching strategy, on nursing students' knowledge of patient safety and team cooperation.

Gamification-based escape rooms enhance knowledge and skill acquisition by fostering student motivation and promoting active learning.

A randomized controlled experimental design with pre-post tests was employed.

60 students (experimental=30, control=30) from the Nursing Department of a university participated in the study. Conducted between December 15-26, 2023, data were collected using the Introductory Information Form, the Patient Safety Knowledge Test and the Cooperation Scale, and the Gamified Experience in Gamification. During the implementation phase, students completed the patient safety module in the Fundamentals of Nursing-I Course. The experimental group participated in three patient safety-themed escape rooms, each involving two games, while the control group continued with traditional education. One week after the intervention, post-test data were collected (two-week intervention period).

The study results indicated no significant differences in descriptive characteristics between the experimental and control groups (p > 0.05). However, the post-test scores of the experimental group on the Patient Safety Knowledge Test, and the Cooperation Scale were significantly higher than their pre-test scores (p < 0.05). Additionally, the experimental group demonstrated a high mean score on the escape room gamification score.

The patient safety escape room significantly enhanced nursing students' knowledge levels and team cooperation. It is recommended to expand the use of escape room games in nursing education.

NCT06608628.