Gamification and Clinical Simulation in Undergraduate Emergency Medical Education: An Integrative Review of Outcomes

Introduction: Undergraduate Emergency Medicine education requires innovative methodologies that enhance the acquisition of clinical competencies and student engagement. Clinical simulation and gamification are emerging strategies with promising applications in this context. Method: This Integrative Literature Review was conducted through a systematic search in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, and SciELO databases, including publications from 2020 to 2025 in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Empirical studies investigating the use of clinical simulation and gamification in Emergency Medicine education and evaluating their pedagogical and clinical impacts were selected. Results: A total of 20 studies were included, demonstrating the effectiveness of clinical simulation in promoting active learning, formative assessment, and the development of technical and interpersonal skills. Gamification was found to be effective in increasing motivation, personalizing learning, and facilitating the integration of complex content, although contextual implementation remains challenging. Discussion: Clinical simulation stands out as an essential tool for students’ integral development by combining technical and ethical dimensions. Gamification, in turn, enhances the attractiveness and adaptability of the educational process but requires solid pedagogical grounding and curricular alignment. Methodological limitations and the need for longitudinal studies were identified. Final considerations: The findings highlight the transformative potential of these methodologies for medical education, emphasizing the importance of their reflective and structured incorporation into curricula. Investment in faculty development and further research is recommended to deepen the understanding of the real impact of these strategies on clinical practice.