MEDILEGACY: A gamified platform for enhancing medical terminology learning through engagement and retention

Objective: This study developed and evaluated MEDILEGACY, a gamified learning platform designed to improve medical terminology education by enhancing knowledge retention and learner motivation. Method: A randomised controlled trial with 68 nursing and medical students compared MEDILEGACY with a traditional textbook-based study over 4 weeks. Learning outcomes were assessed with a 30-item multiple-choice test, while usability and engagement were evaluated using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). Results: Students using MEDILEGACY achieved significantly higher post-test scores than a control group ( p < .001), with a large effect size. Usability ratings confirmed the platform’s ease of use, and user experience measures indicated strong motivation and engagement. Conclusion: MEDILEGACY demonstrates the potential of gamified platforms to make medical terminology learning more effective and enjoyable. Beyond improving short-term outcomes, the findings support the integration of gamification into medical curricula and highlight opportunities for future research on long-term retention and adaptive AI-driven personalisation.