A Serious Game for Enhancing Rescue Reasoning Skills in Tactical Combat Casualty Care: Development and Deployment Study

Abstract

Background Serious games (SGs) have emerged as engaging and instructional digital simulation tools that are increasingly being used for military medical training. SGs are often compared with traditional media in terms of learning outcomes, but it remains unclear which of the 2 options is more efficient and better accepted in the process of knowledge acquisition. Objective This study aimed to create and test a scenario-based system suitable for enhancing rescue reasoning skills in tactical combat casualty care. Methods To evaluate the effectiveness of the SGs, a randomized, observational, comparative trial was conducted. A total of 148 members from mobile medical logistics teams were recruited for training. Pre- and posttraining assessments were conducted using 2 different formats: a video-based online course (n=78) and a game simulation (n=70). We designed 3 evaluation instruments based on the first 2 levels of the Kirkpatrick model (reaction and learning) to measure trainees’ satisfaction, knowledge proficiency, and self-confidence. Results There were 4 elements that made up the learning path for the SGs: microcourses (video-based online courses), self-test, game simulation, and record query. The knowledge test scores in both groups were significantly higher after the intervention (t154=–6.010 and t138=–7.867, respectively; P<.001). For 5 simulation cases, the average operation time was 13.6 (SD 3.3) minutes, and the average case score was 279.0 (SD 57.6) points (from a possible total of 500 points), with a score rate of only 44% (222/500 points) to 67% (336/500 points). The results indicated no significant difference in trainees’ satisfaction between the 2 training methods (P=.04). However, the game simulation method outperformed the video-based online course in terms of learning proficiency (t146=–2.324, P=.02) and self-perception (t146=–5.492, P<.001). Conclusions Despite the high satisfaction reported by trainees for both training methods, the game simulation approach demonstrated superior efficiency and acceptance in terms of knowledge acquisition, self-perception, and overall performance. The developed SG holds significant potential as an essential assessment tool for evaluating frontline rescue skills and rescue reasoning in mobile medical logistics teams.