ClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT07176442PEDAGO-INTUpdated Jan 2, 2026

Enhancing Teaching Strategies for Newly Recruited Interns: Comparing Massive Open Online Courses, Simulation, and Escape Games

An interventional study of MOOC (E-Learning) and Simulation Training in Medical Education, sponsored by Mohammed V Souissi University. Completed at 1 site in Morocco. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-01-02.

Sponsored by Mohammed V Souissi University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
51
Allocation
Randomized
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This randomized controlled trial will compare three innovative teaching methods-Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), simulation, and escape games-among newly recruited medical interns at Ibn Sina University Hospital in Rabat, Morocco. The study aims to evaluate their effectiveness in improving knowledge of diabetic ketoacidosis management, retention of knowledge after 4 weeks, and learner motivation. Fifty-one interns will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups. Outcomes will be assessed using multiple-choice knowledge tests at baseline, immediately after training, and 4 weeks later, as well as the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory questionnaire. The results will provide evidence on the most effective and engaging approach to support induction training of new medical interns.

Read the detailed description

The induction period for newly recruited medical interns represents a critical stage in their professional training. On arrival at the hospital, interns must rapidly acquire clinical knowledge, technical skills, and adaptive behaviors to ensure patient safety and integration into the healthcare team. Innovative teaching strategies, including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), high-fidelity simulation, and gamified approaches such as escape games, have been increasingly adopted in medical education, but comparative evidence of their effectiveness in this context remains limited.

This study is a prospective, randomized controlled trial conducted at Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco. A total of 51 newly recruited medical interns will be randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups:

MOOC group: A structured online course hosted on Canvas, including four short video modules (4-5 minutes each) covering diagnosis, pathophysiology, precipitating factors, and therapeutic management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Interactive quizzes are included between modules.

Simulation group: Participants engage in a high-fidelity simulation scenario of DKA secondary to urinary tract infection, using a mannequin in a controlled training environment. Each session is followed by a structured debriefing.

Escape game group: Interns participate in a 30-minute collaborative escape game consisting of 10 puzzles designed to guide them through the diagnostic and therapeutic steps of DKA management, encouraging teamwork and problem-solving.

All interventions focus on the same clinical case to ensure content comparability. A single faculty member oversees all sessions to maintain consistency in delivery and evaluation.

Outcomes: Knowledge acquisition is assessed using a validated 10-item multiple-choice questionnaire administered at baseline (pre-test), immediately after the intervention (post-test), and 4 weeks later (late post-test) to evaluate both immediate learning and short-term retention. Motivation and satisfaction are assessed immediately after the intervention using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), focusing on interest/enjoyment, perceived competence, perceived choice, and pressure/tension.

Analysis: Scores will be compared within and between groups using repeated-measures ANOVA and appropriate non-parametric tests. The study is designed to test whether one teaching method provides superior short-term knowledge gains, improved retention, or greater learner motivation.

This trial addresses an important gap in medical education by directly comparing three pedagogical approaches during the induction training of new interns. Results are expected to guide educational policy and support the development of blended learning strategies that combine the strengths of digital, experiential, and gamified methods.

02

Conditions studied

  • Medical Education

Keywords

  • Medical Education
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • E-Learning
  • Simulation Training
  • Gamification
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Mohammed V Souissi University is the lead sponsor of 5 studies on the registry; 2 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
Child (0–17), Adult (18–64), Older adult (65+)
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Newly recruited medical interns at Ibn Sina University Hospital (CHU), Rabat
  • Voluntary participation with signed
  • No prior formal training specifically focused on diabetic ketoacidosis

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Refusal to participate
  • Previous advanced training on diabetic ketoacidosis management
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
51 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    MOOC (E-learning)

    Participants complete a structured Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) hosted on Canvas. The course includes four 4-5 minute video modules on diabetic ketoacidosis, with interactive quizzes between modules.

    Behavioral: MOOC (E-Learning)

  • Experimental
    Simulation

    Participants take part in a high-fidelity simulation session using a mannequin programmed for diabetic ketoacidosis management. Each session is followed by a structured debriefing led by the instructor.

    Behavioral: Simulation Training

  • Experimental
    Escape Game

    Participants join a 30-minute educational escape game with 10 puzzles that guide them through the diagnosis and management of diabetic ketoacidosis. The activity emphasizes collaboration and problem-solving.

    Behavioral: Educational Escape Game

Interventions

  • BehavioralMOOC (E-Learning)

    Participants complete a structured Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) hosted on Canvas. The course includes four 4-5 minute video modules on diabetic ketoacidosis, with interactive quizzes between modules.

  • BehavioralSimulation Training

    Participants take part in a high-fidelity simulation session using a mannequin programmed for diabetic ketoacidosis management. Each session is followed by a structured debriefing led by the instructor.

  • BehavioralEducational Escape Game

    Participants join a 30-minute educational escape game with 10 puzzles that guide them through the diagnosis and management of diabetic ketoacidosis. The activity emphasizes collaboration and problem-solving.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Immediat Change in knowledge score on diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) MCQ

    Ten-item multiple-choice questionnaire (0-10 points) covering DKA diagnosis, severity, triggers, and initial management. Score at post-test minus pre-test; higher values indicate greater knowledge gain. Administered identically across all three arms (MOOC, Simulation, Escape Game) using the same validated items. Safety Issue: No.

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-test) and immediately after the intervention (same day)

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in knowledge score from baseline to 4-week follow-up

    Same 10-item MCQ (0-10); follow-up minus baseline. Higher values indicate better retention. Safety Issue: No.

    Time frame: Baseline and 4 weeks after intervention

  2. Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) scores

    The IMI is a validated self-report tool based on self-determination theory. In this study, four subscales are assessed on a 7-point Likert scale: Interest/Enjoyment (higher scores = greater engagement) Perceived Competence (higher scores = greater self-efficacy) Perceived Choice (higher scores = stronger sense of autonomy) Pressure/Tension (higher scores = greater stress; lower scores desirable). Median scores across groups will be compared to evaluate motivational impact of MOOC, simulation, and escape game interventions. Safety Issue: No.

    Time frame: Immediately after the intervention (same day)

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Faculty of Medecine And Pharmacy Of Rabat
    Rabat, 10170, Morocco
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Issenberg SB, McGaghie WC, Petrusa ER, Lee Gordon D, Scalese RJ. Features and uses of high-fidelity medical simulations that lead to effective learning: a BEME systematic review. Med Teach. 2005 Jan;27(1):10-28. doi: 10.1080/01421590500046924. PubMed 16147767 ↗
  • Khanna A, Ravindran A, Ewing B, Zinnerstrom K, Grabowski C, Mishra A, Makdissi R. Escape MD: Using an Escape Room as a Gamified Educational and Skill-Building Teaching Tool for Internal Medicine Residents. Cureus. 2021 Sep 27;13(9):e18314. doi: 10.7759/cureus.18314. eCollection 2021 Sep. PubMed 34725586 ↗
  • Alturkistani A, Lam C, Foley K, Stenfors T, Blum ER, Van Velthoven MH, Meinert E. Massive Open Online Course Evaluation Methods: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res. 2020 Apr 27;22(4):e13851. doi: 10.2196/13851. PubMed 32338618 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jan 2, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07176442
Lead sponsor
Mohammed V Souissi University
Responsible party
Safae Dehbi (Principal Investigator, Mohammed V Souissi University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Sep 16, 2025
Start date
Oct 1, 2025
Primary completion
Nov 30, 2025
Completion
Dec 3, 2025
Last update
Jan 2, 2026

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Dec 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

Follow this study

Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.

Sign in to follow

Discussion

Questions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.

Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.

Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.

Start the discussion