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Serious Games in Nursing Education: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence Publisher



Mehraeen E1 ; Dashti M2 ; Mirzapour P3 ; Ghasemzadeh A2 ; Jahani S4 ; Afsahi AM5 ; Mohammadi S6 ; Akhtaran FK7 ; Mehrtak M8 ; Seyedalinaghi S3
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Health Information Technology, Khalkhal University of Medical Sciences, Khalkhal, Iraq
  2. 2. Department of Radiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iraq
  3. 3. Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iraq
  4. 4. Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iraq
  5. 5. Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), CA, United States
  6. 6. Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iraq
  7. 7. Social and Economic Statistics, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iraq
  8. 8. Healthcare Services Management, School of Medicine and Allied Medical Sciences, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iraq

Source: International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences Published:2025


Abstract

Introduction: Serious games (SGs) are a new concept in education that focuses on improving the effectiveness of teaching methods to provide a digital area for learning. We aimed to review current evidence of using SGs applications in nursing education. Methods: Data extraction was performed following two steps of screening/selection and then applying inclusion/ exclusion criteria. PRISMA checklist and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were utilized in the review. Results: A total of 41 articles from 2015 to 2024 were included in this study. Results showed that nurse educators have attempted to use innovative game-based approaches to improve students’ knowledge, decision-making, practical skills, and teamwork. The nurses who participated and played these games often demonstrated a meaningful increase in their knowledge or exam scores when compared to a control group of peer nurses who underwent a routine traditional education or other modalities of digital platforms like online webinars. Conclusion: Serious games have the potential to transform nursing education by providing an engaging and interactive learning experience. By immersing learners in realistic clinical scenarios, these games can enhance critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. © 2025 The Author(s)