Ready Patient One: How to Turn an In-Person Critical Care Simulation Scenario Into an Online Serious Game.

Introduction Serious gaming has become popular in healthcare education as an engaging way to train learners. When coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) forced the cancellation of in-person simulation sessions, we designed a serious game to deliver content in an interactive format with no out-of-pocket expense. We describe the design process and game reception so that others may replicate it. Methods We designed an online game using Choose-Your-Own-Adventure (CYOA) and Escape Room concepts. Using online survey software, we presented an interactive story based on an existing simulation scenario and included interactive puzzles as roadblocks to scenario progression. Each puzzle represented a critical care concept, and many contained hyperlinks to prior basic science lecture material to reinforce learning. A post-game survey assessed students' experience. Results All (N=88) students enrolled in a scheduled simulation session participated in the game, and 75% (66/88) responded to a post-participation survey. All respondents (100%) were able to complete the game. The majority (57.6%) completed the game in 30 minutes to 1 hour. Most students strongly agreed or agreed that the game enhanced their understanding of critical care concepts (93.9-97.0%), and that they were interested in doing more CYOA games (90.9%). Conclusion The game was well-received, delivered critical care content, and challenged students to apply basic science principles to medical decision-making from the safety of their own homes. The game was self-guided, requiring minimal active facilitator involvement. We plan to expand the use of the game to other settings and explore its use in formative/summative assessment and remediation.

Change in modifiable dementia risk factors during COVID-19 lockdown: The experience of over 50s in Tasmania, Australia.

INTRODUCTION: Containment measures implemented to minimize the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are reported to be negatively affecting mental health, diet, and alcohol consumption. These factors, as well as poor cardiometabolic health and insufficient physical and cognitive activity, are known to increase the risk of developing dementia. COVID-19 "lockdown" measures may have exacerbated these dementia risk factors among people in mid-to-later life. METHODS: We compared longitudinal data from before (October 2019) and during (April-June 2020) the first COVID-19 lockdown period in Tasmania, Australia. Participants (n = 1671) were 50+ years of age and engaged in a public health program targeting dementia risk reduction, with one-third participating in the Preventing Dementia Massive Open Online Course (PD-MOOC). Regression models were used to assess changes in smoking, alcohol use, body mass index (BMI), diet, physical exercise, cognitive and social activity, anxiety and depression, and management of cholesterol, diabetes, and blood pressure. Where significant changes were noted, the moderating influence of being in current employment, living with others, and completing the PD-MOOC was tested. RESULTS: Although friend networks contracted marginally during lockdown, no detrimental effects on modifiable dementia risk factors were noted. Anxiety levels and alcohol consumption decreased, there was no change in depression scores, and small but significant improvements were observed in cognitive and physical activity, smoking, diet, and BMI. Stronger improvements in cognitive activity were observed among people who were cohabiting (not living alone) and both cognitive activity and adherence to the MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH diet Intervention for Neurological Delay) improved more for people who participated in the PD-MOOC. DISCUSSION: Longitudinal data did not show widespread negative effects of COVID-19 lockdown on modifiable dementia risk factors in this sample. The results counter the dominant narratives of universal pandemic-related distress and suggest that engaging at-risk populations in proactive health promotion and education campaigns during lockdown events could be a protective public health strategy.

Is coronavirus disease (COVID-19) seasonal? A critical analysis of empirical and epidemiological studies at global and local scales.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has infected more than 50 million people and killed more than one million, worldwide, during less than a year course. COVID-19, which has already become the worst pandemic in the last 100 years, is still spreading worldwide. Since the beginning of the outbreak, it has been of particular interest to understand whether COVID-19 is seasonal; the finding might help for better planning and preparation for the fight against the disease. Over the past 12 months, numerous empirical and epidemiological studies have been performed to define the distinct diffusion patterns of COVID-19. Thereby, a wealth of data has accumulated on the relationship between various seasonal meteorological factors and COVID-19 transmissibility at global and local scales. In this review, we aimed to discuss whether COVID-19 exhibits any seasonal features in a global and local perspective by collecting and providing summaries of the findings from empirical and epidemiological studies on the COVID-19 pandemic during its first seasonal cycle.