The overall goal of the project is to develop an online escape game to gain knowledge about evidence based practice (EBP) to implement EBP in classes and clinical practice. By doing so, the project will create a safe, entertaining method to train healthcare professionals in assessing clinical situations by applying EBP, provide a way to emphasize on the need of EBP in practice, as well as improve students’ and professionals’ perception towards – and appreciation of – EBP in practice.

The following objectives are intended:

• Describe the teaching models of EBP across the Partner EU countries, and explore how EBP is embedded in the participating HEI’s curricula
• Develop an online escape game, by involving target groups (students, educators, professionals) in game development
• Test the game for relevance, user satisfaction and impact on EBP knowledge
• Develop supporting material on implementation of EBP in classes and clinical practice
• Embed the game in curricula of the partner HEI’s
• Disseminate the results to create awareness and impact within and beyond the Partners

What is Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)?

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is a systematic approach to clinical decision-making that integrates the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and individual patient preferences. EBP helps ensure that healthcare decisions are not only scientifically sound but also meaningful, feasible, and appropriate for diverse patient populations and care settings.

Despite the growing awareness of EBP´s value, many healthcare professionals still report difficulties applying it in daily practice. They often struggle with literature searches, critical appraisal of evidence, and practical implementation. As a result, there is a strong and growing demand for more effective, engaging, and structured EBP education—especially in initial training and professional development.

Why EBP Education Matters?

Studies show that although healthcare professionals generally hold positive attitudes toward EBP, many lack confidence in their ability to use it effectively. This gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application hinders the integration of EBP into clinical routines. Moreover, educational programs often focus more on technical skills and theoretical knowledge, dedicating insufficient attention to developing clinical reasoning, critical thinking, and decision-making.

Educators and academic institutions therefore play a crucial role in designing learning experiences that support EBP as an everyday, usable skill. The use of interactive teaching methods—such as case studies, journal clubs, workshops, and problem- based learning—has been shown to increase student engagement and deepen understanding of EBP content and relevance.

The EBP Game Project

The EBP Game project aims to address these educational challenges by developing an interactive, game-based learning tool designed to improve EBP competencies among healthcare students. The game is grounded in the widely recognized Sackett Model of Evidence-Based Practice (1997), which offers a clear, five-step structure for implementing EBP in clinical settings.

The project will serve as an international center for EBP teaching and learning, integrating the game into the curricula of partner higher education institutions (HEIs) and promoting its adoption across the European academic space.

The Sackett Model of EBP – A Practical Framework

Sackett’s five-step model is widely used in clinical education and quality improvement initiatives. It offers a practical, replicable structure while allowing for clinical judgment and ethical sensitivity.

The five steps are:

• Formulating a clinical question
• Critically appraising the evidence
• Applying the evidence in clinical decision-making
• Evaluating outcomes and fostering continuous improvement

This model promotes lifelong learning, professional accountability, and patient- centered care. Its adaptability makes it especially suitable for use in gamified and experiential learning formats.

How the Project applies the Model

The EBP Game project builds on Sackett’s structure, adapting it into a realistic and engaging educational scenario. The following five key steps serve as the game’s foundation:

• Identifying the health problem and formulating the PICO question
• Generating evidence (via research, expert input, and clinical discourse)
• Synthesizing evidence (systematic reviews, evidence summaries, and guidelines)
• Implementing evidence into practice
• Evaluating both clinical and process outcomes

This approach ensures that players not only learn EBP theory but also practice applying it in a realistic clinical setting, developing both competence and confidence.