Digital Game and Simulation in Midwifery Education

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are among the leading causes of maternal death and morbidity, and are obstetric emergencies that lead to serious complications during pregnancy. Preeclampsia affects 2-8% of pregnancies worldwide; approximately 46,000 maternal deaths and approximately 500,000 fetal or neonatal deaths occur annually due to preeclampsia. This situation highlights the importance of well-equipped midwifery care, especially in terms of early diagnosis, accurate assessment, emergency intervention, and effective management. Traditional teaching methods alone are insufficient for midwifery students to develop clinical decision-making skills in life-threatening situations such as preeclampsia and eclampsia, and to translate theoretical knowledge into practice. Therefore, new teaching approaches that support active learning, interaction, and decision-making processes in education are needed. In recent years, digital game-based learning has emerged as an innovative tool in health education with its potential to attract learners' attention, improve problem-solving skills, and increase their motivation. Especially for midwifery students, digital games facilitate experiential learning by providing a safe simulation environment in preparation for information overload and stressful clinical environments. However, the use of digital games in teaching complex clinical processes such as preeclampsia and eclampsia management has been researched to a limited extent. Scientifically examining the effects of such innovative methods on students' learning motivation, attitude, and active participation in the learning process in midwifery education will fill an important gap in the literature. In this context, evaluating digital game-based learning in preeclampsia-eclampsia management education by comparing it with simulation training and traditional teaching will make a significant contribution to both the midwifery education literature and the knowledge base regarding the use of technology in health education.