Recommended Citation
Gillet V, Zabel M, Cairns D. Creation of Air Quality Escape Room. Oral presentation at: Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers (AIAMC) – National Initiative X: Meeting #3; October 9, 2026; Virtual.
Presentation Notes
Oral presentation at: Alliance of Independent Academic Medical Centers (AIAMC) – National Initiative X: Meeting #3; October 9, 2026; Virtual.
Abstract
Introduction:
Social and structural drivers of health, including environmental exposures such as air pollution, are increasingly recognized as essential components of equitable health care delivery. Despite this, internal medicine residents often face barriers to meaningfully incorporating environmental health considerations into clinical decision-making. Increasing learner interaction with “gamification” of these subjects has shown promise in improving learner engagement, autonomy, and competence in nontraditional biomedical topics. This project describes the development of an immersive escape room–style educational intervention focused on the health impacts of air quality for internal medicine residents.
Methods:
In December of 2025, two internal medicine faculty participated in a medical education escape room design sprint, during which participants collaboratively brainstormed air quality escape room elements. Faculty later partnered with two internal medicine residents, who drafted an escape room experience complete with interactive puzzles and refined learning objectives surrounding air quality. This escape room was initially tested with four internal medicine residents to assess its functionality, quality of education, and areas for design improvement. The effectiveness of this experience was assessed with pre- and post-escape room surveys. An assessment of Aurora-specific graduate medical education milestones on structural fluency will be implemented into final drafts of the escape room.
Results:
Result analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in how learners rated their knowledge of environmental, occupational, indoor risk factors; chronic health condition consequences; prescribing preventative measures; harmful gas and particulate matter identification; and resources regarding air quality after engaging in the escape room. 100% of participants found the escape room to be an effective platform for learning about air quality. Additional data was collected to help inform escape room refinement prior to the final roll-out in March 2027.
Discussion:
This educational initiative aims to integrate environmental health into internal medicine training through an engaging, learner-centered format. Initial survey results suggest this escape room has met our learning objectives and is an effective platform for medical education on air quality. This project is currently being revised for final roll-out in March 2027, to assess if it can address gaps in resident education related to air quality and health equity.
Type
Oral/Podium Presentation
Affiliations
Aurora Health Care