JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Gamification, defined as applying game design principles in non-game contexts, has gained increasing attention for its potential to enhance motivation and engagement across various fields, including medical education and training. However, there is a lack of Virtual Reality (VR)-based simulations on Pneumatic Reduction of Intussusception (PRI) in Children in Brunei, thereby limiting practical training opportunities for medical students and surgeons.

Objective:

This study aims to bridge the gap in medical training. The objective of this paper is to validate the guidelines for developing an effective gamified training prototype for the Pneumatic Reduction of Intussusception, which can motivate and engage medical students and trainees.

Methods:

The Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM) was employed, adopting an iterative development approach. The guidelines for designing and developing effective PRI training interventions that can motivate and sustain student engagement were identified. Therefore, this paper documents the implementation of these guidelines through the development of a low-fidelity prototype as a proof of concept. A qualitative evaluation was conducted through semi-structured interviews with a pediatric surgeon at RIPAS Hospital.

Results:

The surgeon indicated that the guidelines incorporated into the low-fidelity prototype were potentially effective in enhancing motivation among medical students and trainees. The overall design was perceived as appealing, and the procedural steps for performing PRI were considered clear and easy to follow. The results, along with detailed feedback and recommendations for refinement, are presented and discussed.

Conclusions:

This study contributes to the expanding body of research on gamification in medical training by highlighting the applicability of the proposed guideline in developing effective and engaging training interventions. The findings suggest that such guidelines can enhance trainee motivation and participation. Future research will focus on the development of a high-fidelity prototype, followed by a comprehensive evaluation involving a larger and more diverse sample population to validate its effectiveness and generalizability.