1. Out-BREAK!: An IDWeek 2023 Escape Room to Break Out of the Educational Mold.
- Author
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Zhong, Diana, Dong, Sara, Chu, Victoria, Gabriel, Nathalie, Lusardi, Katherine, Searns, Justin, Wattier, Rachel, Ristagno, Elizabeth, Bhimraj, Adarsh, Boguniewicz, Juri, and Pottinger, Paul
- Subjects
conference ,escape room ,infectious diseases ,medical education ,serious game - Abstract
BACKGROUND: An escape room is a cooperative game that has been adapted into medical education and major academic conferences. METHODS: We describe the design, development, and implementation of an educational ID-themed escape room activity entitled Out-BREAK! at an international conference, IDWeek 2023. An anonymous survey was conducted to collect demographic data, assess participant satisfaction with the escape room puzzles, and gauge participant interest in game-based learning. RESULTS: Thirty escape room sessions were held over 3 days and included 201 participants. Escape room survey respondents (n = 132) were younger and more likely to be trainees compared with in-person IDWeek attendants. Among 131 responses, all respondents enjoyed the experience and would recommend the escape room activity to friends. Survey respondents enjoyed the puzzle solving (93%), medical content (92%), and team building (79%) components. Only 35% of the respondents had ever previously participated in game-based learning; 95% thought the escape room was a valuable teaching method. Among the 72 survey respondents involved in medical education, almost all (90%) said they were interested in incorporating escape rooms into medical education. CONCLUSIONS: The Out-BREAK! escape room at IDWeek 2023 was successfully implemented and well received. Despite only a third of participants having prior experience with game-based learning, almost all respondents perceived the escape room to be an effective teaching method.
- Published
- 2024