Serious games in medical education. Do they have a role in anaesthetic training

As a medical professional we have committed ourselves to a career of lifelong learning, and although one can never underestimate the importance of experience, there are some situations that may happen less than once in an anaesthetists career, such as the management of malignant hyperthermia or anaphylaxis. Nonetheless as doctors in anaesthesia we need to be adequately prepared to deal with these scenarios if and when they arrive. To do this successfully the medical profession has developed algorithms for various critical incidents. These algorithms are tested in postgraduate exams and after that for many it is up to the individual to keep abreast with the latest changes and remain current in their knowledge. Simulation is one way these scenarios can be covered with many schools of anaesthesia including critical incident training for their trainees and some hospitals providing simulation updates for their consultant body. We explore a growing alternative medium for continued professional development, the serious game.