The pit crew card game: a novel gamification exercise to improve EMS performance in critical care scenarios

Abstract Background Gamification can be defined as the use of game design elements in non-game contexts, in this case, education. As such, gamification seeks to augment the interactive approach of adult learning theory which promotes ongoing motivation and engagement. The objective of this study was...

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Main Authors: Danielle DiCesare, Bridget Scheveck, Jeffrey Adams, Maria Tassone, Vanessa I. Diaz-Cruz, Christine Van Dillen, Latha Ganti, Shayne Gue, Ayanna Walker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:International Journal of Emergency Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00748-5
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author Danielle DiCesare
Bridget Scheveck
Jeffrey Adams
Maria Tassone
Vanessa I. Diaz-Cruz
Christine Van Dillen
Latha Ganti
Shayne Gue
Ayanna Walker
author_facet Danielle DiCesare
Bridget Scheveck
Jeffrey Adams
Maria Tassone
Vanessa I. Diaz-Cruz
Christine Van Dillen
Latha Ganti
Shayne Gue
Ayanna Walker
author_sort Danielle DiCesare
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Gamification can be defined as the use of game design elements in non-game contexts, in this case, education. As such, gamification seeks to augment the interactive approach of adult learning theory which promotes ongoing motivation and engagement. The objective of this study was to develop and implement a gamified learning module to teach the pit crew approach to Emergency Medical Services personnel in an interactive, engaging format. We created a game-based simulation scenario, an introductory video, and a post-session survey to assess the effectiveness of our educational innovation. We hypothesized that gamification would strengthen classroom engagement and attitudes toward clinical education as assessed in the post-session survey. Methods This was a pilot study to assess the characteristics of a novel, gamified educational session. We created teams of 5 personnel with various experience and levels of training. Our educational session began with an introductory video and the Pit Crew Card Game, a novel, interactive card game where the facilitator leads teams through a verbal scenario and administers task cards to the team leader based on interventions and other tasks the group verbalizes. After the game, teams were engaged in an interactive critical care simulation scenario where they were expected to perform tasks based on their pre-assigned roles. After the exercise, we administered a brief survey to assess learners’ perceptions about the effectiveness of this novel educational session as well as whether participating in this activity would change their behaviors in future real-life critical care scenarios. Results 96 participants completed the post-session survey. The Pit Crew Card Game was heavily favored over traditional lecture-based learning sessions, with 84% of respondents indicating agreement. 77% agreed that the game improved their understanding of how to utilize the pit crew approach for critical care scenarios and that it was an effective teaching, teamwork, and communication tool. Conclusion Based on these results, we conclude that gamification has potential as a preferential and feasible learning method for critical scenario training among prehospital personnel. Participants reported that the Pit Crew Card Game increased their understanding of pit crew concepts, promoted effective communication and teamwork, and was an overall effective teaching tool. We recommend further expansion of gamified teaching strategies to the prehospital education realm and support for future research in this domain.
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spelling doaj-art-9edbd0bc05da456a863dd6fcbc4a0e1f2025-08-20T02:12:58ZengBMCInternational Journal of Emergency Medicine1865-13802025-02-011811510.1186/s12245-024-00748-5The pit crew card game: a novel gamification exercise to improve EMS performance in critical care scenariosDanielle DiCesare0Bridget Scheveck1Jeffrey Adams2Maria Tassone3Vanessa I. Diaz-Cruz4Christine Van Dillen5Latha Ganti6Shayne Gue7Ayanna Walker8Orange County Emergency Medical Services OrlandoResident, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, UCF/HCA Florida Healthcare GME (Greater Orlando/Osceola)EMS Fellow, University of Florida College of MedicineFaculty, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, AdventHealth OrlandoFaculty, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, UCF/HCA Florida Healthcare GME (Greater Orlando/Osceola)Faculty, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Orlando HealthProfessor of Emergency Medicine, Orlando College of Osteopathic MedicineFaculty, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, UCF/HCA Florida Healthcare GME (Greater Orlando/Osceola)Faculty, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, UCF/HCA Florida Healthcare GME (Greater Orlando/Osceola)Abstract Background Gamification can be defined as the use of game design elements in non-game contexts, in this case, education. As such, gamification seeks to augment the interactive approach of adult learning theory which promotes ongoing motivation and engagement. The objective of this study was to develop and implement a gamified learning module to teach the pit crew approach to Emergency Medical Services personnel in an interactive, engaging format. We created a game-based simulation scenario, an introductory video, and a post-session survey to assess the effectiveness of our educational innovation. We hypothesized that gamification would strengthen classroom engagement and attitudes toward clinical education as assessed in the post-session survey. Methods This was a pilot study to assess the characteristics of a novel, gamified educational session. We created teams of 5 personnel with various experience and levels of training. Our educational session began with an introductory video and the Pit Crew Card Game, a novel, interactive card game where the facilitator leads teams through a verbal scenario and administers task cards to the team leader based on interventions and other tasks the group verbalizes. After the game, teams were engaged in an interactive critical care simulation scenario where they were expected to perform tasks based on their pre-assigned roles. After the exercise, we administered a brief survey to assess learners’ perceptions about the effectiveness of this novel educational session as well as whether participating in this activity would change their behaviors in future real-life critical care scenarios. Results 96 participants completed the post-session survey. The Pit Crew Card Game was heavily favored over traditional lecture-based learning sessions, with 84% of respondents indicating agreement. 77% agreed that the game improved their understanding of how to utilize the pit crew approach for critical care scenarios and that it was an effective teaching, teamwork, and communication tool. Conclusion Based on these results, we conclude that gamification has potential as a preferential and feasible learning method for critical scenario training among prehospital personnel. Participants reported that the Pit Crew Card Game increased their understanding of pit crew concepts, promoted effective communication and teamwork, and was an overall effective teaching tool. We recommend further expansion of gamified teaching strategies to the prehospital education realm and support for future research in this domain.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00748-5GamificationEmergency medical servicesPit crew approachMedical education
spellingShingle Danielle DiCesare
Bridget Scheveck
Jeffrey Adams
Maria Tassone
Vanessa I. Diaz-Cruz
Christine Van Dillen
Latha Ganti
Shayne Gue
Ayanna Walker
The pit crew card game: a novel gamification exercise to improve EMS performance in critical care scenarios
International Journal of Emergency Medicine
Gamification
Emergency medical services
Pit crew approach
Medical education
title The pit crew card game: a novel gamification exercise to improve EMS performance in critical care scenarios
title_full The pit crew card game: a novel gamification exercise to improve EMS performance in critical care scenarios
title_fullStr The pit crew card game: a novel gamification exercise to improve EMS performance in critical care scenarios
title_full_unstemmed The pit crew card game: a novel gamification exercise to improve EMS performance in critical care scenarios
title_short The pit crew card game: a novel gamification exercise to improve EMS performance in critical care scenarios
title_sort pit crew card game a novel gamification exercise to improve ems performance in critical care scenarios
topic Gamification
Emergency medical services
Pit crew approach
Medical education
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00748-5
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