Gamification as an equity tool in nursing education: creation of a serious game on bladder catheterization

This study aims to develop and validate an interactive educational game, "Secret Clues," as a pedagogical tool in nursing education, focusing on promoting educational equity by providing equal learning opportunities for students from different social and economic backgrounds. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach and was structured in three phases. Phase 1, qualitative, consisted of interviews with nursing faculty to identify students' difficulties. In Phase 2, the game "Secret Clues" was developed, a serious game about bladder catheterization, involving biosafety practices and aseptic techniques. Phase 3 involved the evaluation and validation of the game’s content and dynamics by experts in the field. The game was structured in phases that simulate clinical situations, using an interactive digital magnifying glass to promote critical thinking and the application of care protocols. The expert evaluation showed good scores in terms of ease of use, content relevance, and interaction, but revealed the need for improvements in overall quality, thematic depth, and pedagogical effectiveness. "Secret Clues" proved to be a promising tool for promoting educational equity in nursing education, allowing students to interact with the content in a playful and personalized way. However, the research identified the need for improvements in the game interface to ensure a more inclusive and accessible experience. The game contributes to a more inclusive educational model, aligned with the demands of the digital environment and active methodologies.