Effectiveness of game technology applied to preclinical training for nurse aides in implementing contact isolation precautions

The rapid spread of emerging infectious diseases poses significant challenges to elderly care in the healthcare system. Effective training in contact isolation protective measures is essential for nurse aides to reduce infection risks. This study integrates game technology and Scaffolding theory, utilizing mobile apps for interactive teaching to enhance the contact isolation protection capabilities of nurse aides. This study employed a quasi-experimental design and involved 60 students from the Department of Senior Citizen Services at a college in Taiwan. Participants trained with the game app Golden Cicada Escapes with Its Whole Body, and their learning outcomes were evaluated using SPSS 26.0 and multiple linear regression. The results showed that the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in cognition, skills, and self-efficacy, proving the effectiveness of game technology in learning. We hope that the innovative teaching model combining game technology with Scaffolding theory can serve as a reference for strategies in training for emerging infectious disease clinical protection in medical education both domestically and internationally, offering broad prospects for application and value for dissemination.