Abstract:

Introduction:
Understanding the dynamics within operation theatres is a vital supplement to theoretical and ward-based learning for medical students who are exposed to operation theatres for the first time. Unfortunately, a lack of knowledge about the roles of theatre staff, distinctions between sterile and unsterile areas, safety protocols, and the fundamental operation of the theatre hinders learning and induces confusion among students. In an effort to overcome these barriers, we chose to employ a surgical escape room as both an educational and recreational tool.

Aims:
The objectives were to enhance students' confidence, foster familiarity with the theatre environment, gauge their motivation to review preparatory materials beforehand and successfully attain the intended learning outcomes for their surgical block.

Methods:
19 third year medical students on their surgical block in University hospitals of Leicester participated in this project. Within a 45-minute timeframe, teams solved lateral thinking puzzles using analytical skills and manual dexterity that reflected the pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative components of theatres inside the escape room. The preparatory material and the activity were designed to create a constructivist learning environment to meet the intended learning outcomes of the surgical block. Questionnaires were used to analyse impact and perceptions.

Results:
2 out of 4 groups were able to finish the escape room within 45 minutes. All students agreed that the activity was enjoyable, educational and relevant to their curriculum needs. 94.7% students agreed that the preparatory material met their curriculum needs while 79% students felt motivated to study the preparatory material due to the gamified nature of the activity. After having taken part in the activity, 79% students felt more confident and familiar about theatre functioning. 100% students commented that they would like to participate in the activity again and would recommend it to others as well.

Conclusion:
The use of a surgical escape room has shown to benefit medical students in knowledge acquisition and application while simultaneously improving motivation and confidence in the operation theatres. This repeatable recreational educational strategy can be combined with traditional learning methods to enhance surgical education.

Keywords:

Medical students, surgical escape room, motivation.