The pit crew card game: a novel gamification exercise to improve EMS performance in critical care scenarios
Dublin Core
Title
The pit crew card game: a novel gamification exercise to improve EMS performance in critical care scenarios
Subject
Gamification, Emergency medical services, Pit crew approach, Medical education
Description
Abstract
Background Gamification can be defined as the use of game design elements in non-game contexts, in this case,
education. As such, gamification seeks to augment the interactive approach of adult learning theory which promotes
ongoing motivation and engagement. The objective of this study was to develop and implement a gamified learning
module to teach the pit crew approach to Emergency Medical Services personnel in an interactive, engaging
format. We created a game-based simulation scenario, an introductory video, and a post-session survey to assess
the effectiveness of our educational innovation. We hypothesized that gamification would strengthen classroom
engagement and attitudes toward clinical education as assessed in the post-session survey.
Methods This was a pilot study to assess the characteristics of a novel, gamified educational session. We created
teams of 5 personnel with various experience and levels of training. Our educational session began with an
introductory video and the Pit Crew Card Game, a novel, interactive card game where the facilitator leads teams
through a verbal scenario and administers task cards to the team leader based on interventions and other tasks
the group verbalizes. After the game, teams were engaged in an interactive critical care simulation scenario where
they were expected to perform tasks based on their pre-assigned roles. After the exercise, we administered a brief
survey to assess learners’ perceptions about the effectiveness of this novel educational session as well as whether
participating in this activity would change their behaviors in future real-life critical care scenarios.
Results 96 participants completed the post-session survey. The Pit Crew Card Game was heavily favored over
traditional lecture-based learning sessions, with 84% of respondents indicating agreement. 77% agreed that the
game improved their understanding of how to utilize the pit crew approach for critical care scenarios and that it was
an effective teaching, teamwork, and communication tool.
Conclusion Based on these results, we conclude that gamification has potential as a preferential and feasible
learning method for critical scenario training among prehospital personnel. Participants reported that the Pit Crew
Card Game increased their understanding of pit crew concepts, promoted effective communication and teamwork,
Background Gamification can be defined as the use of game design elements in non-game contexts, in this case,
education. As such, gamification seeks to augment the interactive approach of adult learning theory which promotes
ongoing motivation and engagement. The objective of this study was to develop and implement a gamified learning
module to teach the pit crew approach to Emergency Medical Services personnel in an interactive, engaging
format. We created a game-based simulation scenario, an introductory video, and a post-session survey to assess
the effectiveness of our educational innovation. We hypothesized that gamification would strengthen classroom
engagement and attitudes toward clinical education as assessed in the post-session survey.
Methods This was a pilot study to assess the characteristics of a novel, gamified educational session. We created
teams of 5 personnel with various experience and levels of training. Our educational session began with an
introductory video and the Pit Crew Card Game, a novel, interactive card game where the facilitator leads teams
through a verbal scenario and administers task cards to the team leader based on interventions and other tasks
the group verbalizes. After the game, teams were engaged in an interactive critical care simulation scenario where
they were expected to perform tasks based on their pre-assigned roles. After the exercise, we administered a brief
survey to assess learners’ perceptions about the effectiveness of this novel educational session as well as whether
participating in this activity would change their behaviors in future real-life critical care scenarios.
Results 96 participants completed the post-session survey. The Pit Crew Card Game was heavily favored over
traditional lecture-based learning sessions, with 84% of respondents indicating agreement. 77% agreed that the
game improved their understanding of how to utilize the pit crew approach for critical care scenarios and that it was
an effective teaching, teamwork, and communication tool.
Conclusion Based on these results, we conclude that gamification has potential as a preferential and feasible
learning method for critical scenario training among prehospital personnel. Participants reported that the Pit Crew
Card Game increased their understanding of pit crew concepts, promoted effective communication and teamwork,
Creator
Danielle DiCesare1,2, Bridget Scheveck3
, Jeffrey Adams4
, Maria Tassone5
, Vanessa I. Diaz-Cruz6
, Christine Van Dillen2
,
Latha Ganti7
, Shayne Gue6,8* and Ayanna Walker6,9
, Jeffrey Adams4
, Maria Tassone5
, Vanessa I. Diaz-Cruz6
, Christine Van Dillen2
,
Latha Ganti7
, Shayne Gue6,8* and Ayanna Walker6,9
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-024-00748-5
Date
2025
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Danielle DiCesare1,2, Bridget Scheveck3
, Jeffrey Adams4
, Maria Tassone5
, Vanessa I. Diaz-Cruz6
, Christine Van Dillen2
,
Latha Ganti7
, Shayne Gue6,8* and Ayanna Walker6,9, “The pit crew card game: a novel gamification exercise to improve EMS performance in critical care scenarios,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12596.