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Evaluation of a Web-based malaria risk reduction game for study abroad students.

ABSTRACT: Compare feedback strategies in 3 versions of an educational game.Study abroad students (N = 482) participated by playing the game and completing pregame/postgame surveys January-March 2010.This study employed an experimental design. Primary outcome measures were knowledge gain, player satisfaction, and risk perception.One-third had previously traveled to a malaria-risk region, and two thirds planned to do so. Baseline malaria knowledge was low. Postgame knowledge and risk perception were significantly higher than pregame, irrespective of past travel status. The group that automatically received explanatory feedback following game decisions scored higher for mean knowledge gain, without differences in player satisfaction.The challenges of designing a feedback strategy to support Web-based learning make these results highly relevant to health educators developing interactive multimedia interventions. The increasing number of students traveling to higher-risk destinations demands attention. Both malaria-naive and malaria-experienced students would benefit from this approach to travel health education.

SUBMITTER: Hartjes LB

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3716910 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Evaluation of a Web-based malaria risk reduction game for study abroad students.

Hartjes Laurie B LB Baumann Linda C LC

Journal of American college health : J of ACH 20120101 5

<h4>Objective</h4>Compare feedback strategies in 3 versions of an educational game.<h4>Participants</h4>Study abroad students (N = 482) participated by playing the game and completing pregame/postgame surveys January-March 2010.<h4>Methods</h4>This study employed an experimental design. Primary outcome measures were knowledge gain, player satisfaction, and risk perception.<h4>Results</h4>One-third had previously traveled to a malaria-risk region, and two thirds planned to do so. Baseline malaria ...[more]

PMID: 22686363

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Project description:Little research addresses how medical students develop their choice of specialty training in crisis and resource-poor settings. The newly graduated medical students determine the future of the healthcare system. This study aims to elucidate the factors influencing Syrian medical students' specialty selection and students' intentions to study abroad.A cross-sectional study carried out at the universities of Damascus, Al-Kalamoon and the Syrian Private University in Syria using self-administered questionnaire to investigate medical students' specialty preferences and plans for career future. The questionnaire included questions about students' demographic and educational characteristics, intention to train abroad, the chosen country for training.Randomly selected 450 students completed the questionnaire. The two most common specialties selected were general surgery (27.6%) and internal medicine (23.5%). The most influencing factors on their decision were 'flexibility of specialty' (74.8%) and 'Better work opportunities after specializing' (69.1%). Most participants stated that they are interested in specializing abroad outside Syria (78.7%). The two most common countries of choice were Germany (35.5%) and the United States of America (24.6%). Acquiring a visa to the foreign country was the most common obstacle of specializing abroad (n?=?186, 53.6%). Male gender, having a previous clinical training abroad, and having friends or relatives living abroad were significant factors in predicting students' interest in specializing abroad.Internal medicine and surgery are the most reported specialties of choice in this study and most of the participants reported intentions to study abroad. Their specialty preferences are influenced by both familiar epidemiological and war-driven factors. These data can be useful to design further cohort study to understand the war-related affecting factors on students' plans for their career in the effort of improving the balance of healthcare system in Syria.

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Dataset Information

Evaluation of a Web-based malaria risk reduction game for study abroad students.

Publications

Evaluation of a Web-based malaria risk reduction game for study abroad students.

Similar Datasets

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