The effect of the BREATHe paramedic - paramedic mobile game on nursing and paramedic students' competence development - A quasi-experimental study.
International Emergency Nursing · 2026-02-27 · Quasi-experimental
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mobile games are emerging as powerful tools for learning. There is a lack of understanding of their potential in nursing and paramedic competence development. AIM: The study aimed to test the effectiveness of the BREATHe Paramedic mobile game in enhancing paramedic competence among nursing and paramedic students. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study. PARTICIPANTS: Nursing and paramedic students (n = 36) from Finland. METHODS: The study was conducted in the spring of 2024 to examine the impact of the BREATHe Paramedic mobile game on nursing and paramedic students' self-assessed paramedic competence and objective learning outcomes. To measure self-assessed competence, the Global Rating Scale for the Assessment of Paramedic Clinical Competence, using a Likert scale, was employed. Additionally, the study explored students' attitudes, satisfaction, and overall experiences with the game. RESULTS: According to students' self-assessments, the BREATHe Paramedic mobile game significantly improved all measured areas (p < 0.05), including e.g. situational awareness, patient assessment and decision-making. Regarding objective data, statistically significant improvement was found in medication management competence (p = 0.024). Most of the students were satisfied with the game. The mobile game increased students' motivation to learn and improved their skills, but it also raised some challenges, such as technical implementation and getting feedback. CONCLUSION: The study showed that the BREATHe paramedic mobile game can promote paramedic competence development, as indicated by students' self-evaluations. Objective data supported the overall findings; however, it revealed a statistically significant difference only in medication management competence. The mobile game's feedback system should be improved, and further research is needed to understand how to maximise the benefits of mobile games in paramedic education and continuous learning in working life.
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