Co-Design and Evaluation of a Gamified E-Resource About Healthcare Decarbonisation: A Study Protocol

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Medical Education
• Sustainable Healthcare

Background:

• Climate change presents a significant global health risk.
• Healthcare systems are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
• Health professionals require enhanced knowledge and skills for sustainable practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To co-design and evaluate a gamified e-resource for pre-registration health students.
• To improve knowledge, self-efficacy, and attitudes towards healthcare decarbonisation.
• To encourage sustainable behaviour change among future healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• Sequential explanatory design involving a scoping review, co-design workshops, and focus groups.
• Utilized focused ethnography to explore co-design experiences.
• Administered pre- and post-test questionnaires (n=200) and post-use focus groups (n=30).

Main Results:

• The study will assess the impact of the gamified e-resource on student learning and engagement.
• Evidence will be generated on how co-designed digital tools influence understanding of healthcare decarbonisation.
• The research will explore behavioural changes resulting from e-resource use.

Conclusions:

• Findings will guide the integration of sustainability and decarbonisation into health education.
• The study aims to equip future health professionals with essential low-carbon healthcare competencies.
• Co-designed gamified e-resources show promise for advancing sustainable healthcare education.