MedEd Deep Dive

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of escape rooms in medical education. From physical simulations to digital innovations, we explore how escape rooms are being used to teach clinical skills, foster teamwork, and boost critical thinking in future doctors and nurses. Join us as we break down the research behind escape rooms, look at different designs (linear, open, and multilinear), and discuss how they’re changing the way healthcare professionals learn. Plus, we explore the rise of digital escape rooms during the pandemic and their potential for the future.

Link to the publication: https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202107.0644/v1

What is MedEd Deep Dive?

MedEd DeepDive: Where Innovation Meets Education

Whether you're a student navigating the complexities of medical school, an educator striving to improve learning outcomes, a researcher pushing the boundaries of knowledge, or a policymaker shaping the future of medical education—this podcast is for you.

In Season 1 of MedEd DeepDive, we explore the cutting-edge innovations transforming how we teach and learn. From the use of AI and chatbots to combat vaccine misinformation to the game-changing potential of virtual simulations and the metaverse in medical training, our episodes dive into the latest research and real-world applications. We'll also discuss innovative tools like serious games, escape rooms, and virtual patients that make learning more immersive and effective.

Join us as we examine the technological advancements and essential human elements of healthcare education, highlighting how strategies like interprofessional education, team-based learning, and even traditional methods like moulage can create a more holistic and impactful approach.

Subscribe now to stay ahead of the curve and participate in the conversation shaping the future of healthcare education.

Yassin:

Okay. So you know how everyone loves escape rooms now?

Zaynab:

Yeah. They're everywhere.

Yassin:

Well, now people are using them for learning, like, in schools and stuff.

Zaynab:

Yeah. It's pretty big trend.

Yassin:

And get this, we're talking about using escape rooms in medical education.

Zaynab:

You know, training doctors and nurses, it's fascinating how quickly it's taking off.

Yassin:

Seriously, from what I hear, it's not just a one off thing either. We're talking a whole stack of research on this. 72 articles to be exact.

Zaynab:

72. That's wild. We've got a lot to unpack.

Yassin:

Yeah. For real. But before we get into, you know, the nitty gritty of escape rooms and all that, we should probably talk about this whole serious games idea.

Zaynab:

Right. Because when you hear serious games, you might think it's a bit of an oxymoron. Like, how can a game be serious? Right.

Yassin:

It's like, shouldn't games be, well, fun? Exactly. But the idea is to use those game elements, the fun stuff, for more than just entertainment.

Zaynab:

Okay. So it's like tricking yourself into learning.

Yassin:

I can get behind that.

Zaynab:

It's more like making learning engaging. Think of it like, what if studying felt more like solving a puzzle than just reading a textbook?

Yassin:

Okay. That actually sounds way more appealing. Not gonna lie. So escape rooms definitely fit that puzzle saving vibe. But for those who haven't been in 1, what are we even talking about here?

Yassin:

What's the basic setup?

Zaynab:

So picture a themed room. Right. Could be anything, like a pirate ship, a haunted mansion, whatever.

Yassin:

Okay. I'm into it.

Zaynab:

And it's filled with these puzzles, riddles, hidden objects. The goal is to work together as a team to figure it all out and escape the room before time runs out.

Yassin:

Oh, right. It's like a race against the clock, which I have to say can get pretty intense.

Zaynab:

It definitely adds to the excitement.

Yassin:

For sure. But we're talking about medical training here. How do you go from escaping a pirate ship to, like, diagnosing a patient?

Zaynab:

Well, that's where the design of the escape room comes in, and research points to 3 main types, linear, open, and multilinear. Each one challenges people in different ways.

Yassin:

Okay. So let's break those down a bit because I have a feeling we'll be coming back to them. Yeah. What are these different escape room styles all about?

Zaynab:

You got it. So linear is pretty straight forward. You solve the puzzles in a specific order. It's like following a treasure map. One clue leads to the next, great for teaching processes or, you know, reinforcing basic knowledge.

Yassin:

So it's like step 1, step 2, step 3. Boom. You escaped. Gotcha. What about open design?

Zaynab:

Open designs are more, well, open ended. You can tackle the puzzles in any order you like, more freedom. You know, it's like being thrown into a mystery, and you can investigate any lead you want. This one's really good for critical thinking thinking and problem solving.

Yassin:

Interesting. So it's more about figuring things out on your own, thinking outside the box. Okay. And then there's the multilinear. What's that one all about?

Zaynab:

Multilinear is where things get really wild. They mix together elements of linear and open designs, so you've got multiple paths you can take, challenges happening at the same time. It's like juggling a bunch of things at once.

Yassin:

Intense. So those are our escape room basics. But the big question is, why are we even doing this? Especially with future doctors and nurses, what's the learning benefit of all this?

Zaynab:

It's all about creating a safe environment for them to use what they know, but with, you know, some real stakes involved.

Yassin:

Okay. So like a simulation.

Zaynab:

Yeah. But way more engaging.

Yassin:

Definitely more exciting than a textbook. That's for sure. So walk me through this. What would that even look like, a medical escape room?

Zaynab:

Let's say you're training nurses on sepsis, which is a really serious condition, requires quick thinking.

Yassin:

Right. Definitely a high stakes situation.

Zaynab:

So instead of just reading about it, they actually have to put their knowledge to the test in an escape room.

Yassin:

So they're, like, diagnosing a pretend patient, but in a way that feels real.

Zaynab:

Exactly. They've got puzzles tied to sepsis symptoms, interpreting lab results, and the clock's ticking the whole time just like a real emergency situation.

Yassin:

Wow. Talk about pressure. Did they handle it?

Zaynab:

Oh, yeah. The research actually showed these students got way better at recognizing sepsis and knew what to do in a real case.

Yassin:

No way. So it actually works.

Zaynab:

It does. And we're not just talking about sepsis here. We found research on all sorts of medical fields using these escape rooms, emergency medicine, pharmacy, even had teams of doctors and nurses working together on complex cases.

Yassin:

Teams. So it's not just individuals in these escape rooms?

Zaynab:

Nope. We're talking full on team effort. Actually, every single study that mentioned group structure, it was 100% team based.

Yassin:

Wow. Every single one. Why is that?

Zaynab:

Well, think about it. Doctors and nurses, they rarely work alone. Right? It's all about communication, collaboration.

Yassin:

Makes sense. You don't want a doctor going rogue in the middle of surgery.

Zaynab:

Exactly. These escape rooms, they're not just about medical knowledge. They're preparing these students for the real world of health care where teamwork is key.

Yassin:

So it's like teamwork makes the dream work, but with, you know, higher stakes.

Zaynab:

And potentially lives on the line.

Yassin:

Exactly. So we've got the teamwork aspect down, but what about those escape room designs we talked about? Yeah. Linear, open, and multilinear. Any favorites when it comes to medical training?

Zaynab:

Good question. Research is still new on that front, but we're seeing some links between the design and what they're trying to teach. Like, for teaching a specific process, linear is great.

Yassin:

Makes sense. You want them to follow the steps in order. Yeah. What about those open designs?

Zaynab:

Open's better when things are less clear cut. Like, say, a patient comes in with a bunch of weird symptoms. The doctors need to think critically, rule out different possibilities.

Yassin:

So more like a real medical mystery.

Zaynab:

Exactly. They have to order the right tests, make sense of the results.

Yassin:

No pressure. And multilinear, that one seems like the most intense.

Zaynab:

It definitely keeps you on your toes. That's your high speed, unpredictable medical scenario. Gotta juggle multiple things at once, make quick decisions.

Yassin:

Okay. So multi linear is basically the ER of escape rooms.

Zaynab:

Got

Yassin:

it. So big picture now. Why are we seeing this boom in escape room research, especially between 2017 and 2021?

Zaynab:

It's not just a fad. It's a shift in how we think about learning. People are realizing just cramming information isn't enough. You gotta make it stick, make it real.

Yassin:

Right. What's the point in knowing something if you can't use it when it matters?

Zaynab:

Exactly. Escape rooms, they bring that challenge, that excitement that traditional learning just doesn't have.

Yassin:

Yeah. It's way more engaging than just reading a textbook. Yeah. Speaking of engaging, remember those digital escape rooms we talked about? The ones that kinda blew up in 2021?

Zaynab:

Yeah. 2021, that was right when COVID hit and, you know, in person stuff just wasn't happening.

Yassin:

So what did they do? Bring the escape room online?

Zaynab:

Pretty much. Digital escape rooms. That's what everyone was talking about.

Yassin:

Okay. But how do you even make an escape room on a computer?

Zaynab:

Well, some use those online platforms, video calls, you know, to keep that team aspect going. Others used virtual reality, so you're immersed in this digital escape room.

Yassin:

Woah. That's kinda cool. So instead of actually searching for clues, you're, like, clicking around a virtual room.

Zaynab:

Exactly. You're clicking your way to freedom.

Yassin:

I like it, but Yeah. It can't be quite the same as the real thing. Right?

Zaynab:

True. But going digital has its perks. Think about it. Anyone can join anywhere in the world. That's huge for medical training.

Yassin:

Yeah. Especially with specialists all over the place these days.

Zaynab:

And it's way easier to change things up. You know? Make it harder, add new stuff, tailor it for specific medical scenarios. Can't really do that with a physical escape room as easily.

Yassin:

That's true. But now that things are getting back to normal, what's gonna happen to these digital escape rooms?

Zaynab:

That's the $1,000,000 question. It's so new that research hasn't really caught up yet.

Yassin:

So we don't know if they're actually as good as the real deal.

Zaynab:

Exactly. Or maybe they're better in some ways. There's so much to explore.

Yassin:

Maybe we'll even see some kind of combo, right, like a real escape room but with digital elements. The future is wide open.

Zaynab:

Exactly. And that's what's so exciting about all this. We're completely changing how we think about learning and escape rooms, they're leading the charge.

Yassin:

Love it. And the best part is, this isn't just for medicine. Any field can use this.

Zaynab:

Exactly. History, business, you name it. Imagine, like, an escape room where you're a detective solving a crime or running a business or even going back in time.

Yassin:

The possibilities are endless. Maybe someone listening right now will be inspired to create the next big escape room.

Zaynab:

Wouldn't that be something?

Yassin:

That's it for our escape room deep dive. Hope you learned some stuff, had some fun, and maybe, just maybe, feel inspired to go out and escape the ordinary yourselves. Until next time.