Game-Based Learning for Nursing Students in Hong Kong: Does It Improve Critical Thinking and Clinical Skills?

This clinical trial investigates an innovative teaching method called "Gamification-Enhanced Problem-Based Learning" for nursing students in Hong Kong. The study compares this game-like learning approach against traditional lectures to see which better improves students' critical thinking skills, self-awareness of learning (metacognition), and clinical competence.

Over five weeks, nursing students will participate in 90-minute sessions where they work in small groups to solve increasingly complex clinical scenarios. These realistic cases mirror actual nursing situations, and students get to role-play different healthcare roles using medical equipment and patient simulators. The program incorporates game elements like digital badges, leaderboards showing group performance, and certificates for completion and winning teams.

Key features of this innovative approach include:

• Interactive case-solving: Groups work together to diagnose and treat simulated patients
• Role-playing: Students take on various healthcare roles during scenarios
• Game elements: Points, badges, and friendly competition between groups
• Practical application: Sessions occur in nursing labs with real medical equipment
• Support materials: Pre-reading assignments before each session

The research team will measure outcomes using validated assessment tools at three time points: before the program starts, immediately after completion, and one month later. These measurements will show whether the gaming elements help students develop better clinical reasoning skills compared to conventional teaching methods.

Why this research matters:

• For nursing education: Could revolutionize how we train future nurses by making learning more engaging and effective
• For patient care: Better-trained nurses may provide higher quality care in hospitals and clinics
• For healthcare systems: Innovative teaching methods could potentially reduce training time while improving outcomes

This study builds on growing evidence that active, participatory learning methods often outperform traditional lectures in healthcare education. The gaming elements may further enhance engagement and knowledge retention. If successful, this approach could be adapted for other healthcare professions and continuing education programs.

For nursing students, participating in such programs could mean:

• More confidence when facing real clinical situations
• Better preparation for complex patient care scenarios
• Stronger teamwork and communication skills
• Increased motivation through interactive learning

The research team at University of Hong Kong hopes to demonstrate that combining proven educational methods with game design principles can create more effective learning experiences for future healthcare professionals.