Digital Game and Simulation in Midwifery Education

Summary

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are among the leading causes of maternal death and morbidity, and are obstetric emergencies that lead to serious complications during pregnancy. Preeclampsia affects 2-8% of pregnancies worldwide; approximately 46,000 maternal deaths and approximately 500,000 fetal or neonatal deaths occur annually due to preeclampsia. This situation highlights the importance of well-equipped midwifery care, especially in terms of early diagnosis, accurate assessment, emergency intervention, and effective management.

Traditional teaching methods alone are insufficient for midwifery students to develop clinical decision-making skills in life-threatening situations such as preeclampsia and eclampsia, and to translate theoretical knowledge into practice. Therefore, new teaching approaches that support active learning, interaction, and decision-making processes in education are needed.

In recent years, digital game-based learning has emerged as an innovative tool in health education with its potential to attract learners' attention, improve problem-solving skills, and increase their motivation. Especially for midwifery students, digital games facilitate experiential learning by providing a safe simulation environment in preparation for information overload and stressful clinical environments.

However, the use of digital games in teaching complex clinical processes such as preeclampsia and eclampsia management has been researched to a limited extent. Scientifically examining the effects of such innovative methods on students' learning motivation, attitude, and active participation in the learning process in midwifery education will fill an important gap in the literature. In this context, evaluating digital game-based learning in preeclampsia-eclampsia management education by comparing it with simulation training and traditional teaching will make a significant contribution to both the midwifery education literature and the knowledge base regarding the use of technology in health education.

Conditions

• Healthy Adult

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

DIGITAL GAME-BASED EDUCATION

This intervention encompasses an educational program that presents content on the management of preeclampsia and eclampsia using a digital gamification approach. The training is conducted through a digital game platform developed by the researcher. Participants actively engage in the learning process through interactive tasks, decision-making processes, and problem-solving activities based on clinical scenarios. The game content covers the definition of preeclampsia and eclampsia, risk factors, clinical findings, diagnostic criteria, and management steps. The intervention utilizes: a level-based structure that monitors participant progress, instant feedback mechanisms, and a task completion and achievement-based scoring system. These elements aim to increase learning motivation and support knowledge acquisition. This intervention represents an innovative and technology-based educational approach to be compared with other training methods used in the study

BEHAVIORAL

SIMULATION TRAINING

Preeclampsia and eclampsia management is simulated through highly realistic clinical scenarios. Students have the opportunity to actively intervene in clinical situations using simulation mannequins. Simulation applications include patient assessment, diagnosis, appropriate intervention planning, and clinical decision-making processes. Participants take an active role during the application and experience scenario-based learning. This method aims to develop practical skills, increase clinical decision-making competence, and reinforce learning in a controlled and safe environment.

BEHAVIORAL

TRADITIONAL TRAINING

This intervention comprises standard theoretical training on the management of preeclampsia and eclampsia. Training is conducted through face-to-face lectures, presentations (PowerPoint), and clinical practice guidebooks. Students passively receive information in this instructor-centered process, with limited interaction. The training content covers the definition of preeclampsia and eclampsia, risk factors, clinical findings, diagnostic criteria, complications, and management steps. This intervention represents a standard control approach for comparison with other training methods used in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medipol University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

25 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-06-01

Primary Completion

2026-12-30

Completion

2027-01-30

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations