Gamifying Neurology: Lessons from the NExCARD Experience in Emergency Medicine Training.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Emergency Medicine
• Neurology

Background:

• Neurological emergencies are critical but underrepresented in emergency medicine training.
• Traditional curricula may not adequately prepare residents for these high-stakes scenarios.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the Neurological Emergencies Card Game (NExCARD) as an innovative educational tool.
• To assess the impact of NExCARD on emergency medicine residents' competence and confidence.

Main Methods:

• NExCARD, a gamified card game inspired by UNO, was developed using color-coded, clue-based cards.
• The game was implemented in team-based sessions for emergency medicine residents.
• Post-activity feedback was collected from 27 residents.

Main Results:

• Residents reported increased engagement and a deeper understanding of neurological emergency management.
• A strong preference for incorporating similar gamified tools into academic sessions was observed.
• NExCARD demonstrated potential as an effective educational intervention.

Conclusions:

• Gamification, through tools like NExCARD, can significantly enhance learning in medical education.
• NExCARD offers a promising approach to improve resident training in neurological emergencies.
• Further adaptation, scaling, and evaluation of NExCARD in broader medical contexts are warranted.