WIP 38 - Development and Implementation of Medical Escape Room and its outcomes in comparison to Standard Simulation: A Pilot Study

Publication Number: WIP 38.7695

Smrithi Krishnamohan, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; Manu Madhok, Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States

Background: Simulation has been used as a standard for medical education, however, MER are gaining popularity, but there are no studies comparing the two. Unlike standard simulation, MER offers a team building activity where everyone is on the same level regardless of their hierarchy in training. It would be important to develop both MERs and Simulation in the same clinical scenario and compare the groups on educational outcomes and engagement.

Objective: Develop MER and Simulation scenario, compare knowledge scores for specific clinical content and level of participation reported in an engagement survey and observation tool and explore change in clinical behavior among learners who participate in MER vs SBME

Design/Methods: A crossover randomized educational study was designed, IRB approved and is being conducted at a tertiary children's hospital between August 2024-March 2025. Two case scenarios were designed for MER and simulation with same objectives. Forty Pediatric, Emergency medicine, Family practice residents rotating through ED and PEM Fellows are being recruited. They are randomized into 2 groups, complete a pretest knowledge quiz and participate in both MER and SBME, and afterwards complete a post-test knowledge quiz and an engagement survey. The same knowledge quiz will be administered after 3 months. We will also explore if they encountered similar scenarios in practice and how they applied knowledge into practice. The facilitators will also complete an observation tool to look at the engagement. For analysis, we will compare total scores for the two groups from the targeted questions for gain in knowledge by using T-tests. Repeated measures ANOVA will be used for the 3-month knowledge test. A linear regression model to determine differences of engagement and participation. Descriptive statistics will be used for thematic coding on their responses on how this education was helpful for their clinical practice. A generalized estimating equations model will be used to compare pre, post, and follow up knowledge test scores between groups across time.