Efficacy of the Web-Based Gamified Infection Control Training System: Hong Kong

The Blended Gaming COVID-19 Training System (BGCTS) serves as a digital intervention designed to enhance infection control standards among healthcare workers in Hong Kong’s residential care sector. By utilizing a cluster randomized controlled trial across 13 facilities, the research evaluates whether gamified, web-based training modules outperform traditional briefing sessions in improving critical safety behaviors. The primary objective is to determine if interactive, technology-driven education can effectively translate into measurable improvements in frontline clinical performance during high-stakes public health crises.

The findings indicate a clear disparity between objective performance and subjective self-assessment. Participants utilizing the BGCTS demonstrated statistically significant improvements in essential infection control practices, most notably regarding the proper application of personal protective equipment, respiratory hygiene, and hand-rubbing techniques. Conversely, the intervention failed to produce statistically significant differences in self-reported knowledge, attitudes, or practices when compared to the control group. This suggests that while the gamified system successfully bridges the gap between theoretical training and practical application, it does not necessarily alter the internal perceptions or confidence levels of the staff.

The scope of this analysis is confined to the residential care environment in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers acknowledge that the study’s outcomes were likely influenced by the unique pressures of the pandemic, which introduced recruitment challenges and potential ceiling effects where baseline performance was already elevated due to heightened institutional awareness. Ultimately, the evidence supports the integration of gamified training as a superior method for reinforcing technical compliance, even when traditional metrics of knowledge acquisition remain stagnant. These results highlight the efficacy of experiential learning tools in ensuring consistent adherence to safety protocols in high-risk healthcare settings.