Pros

Team building:

• Encouraged collaboration and communication amongst the team members, the tasks were designed to incorporate these elements
• Emphasized the importance of working together to overcome challenges, mirroring real life scenarios in healthcare 
• Radiographers expressed that the interaction formed made learning more enjoyable compared to traditional educational formats

Inclusivity:

• Promoted inclusivity by encouraging participation from all staff levels, creating an environment where all input was valued

Skill enhancement:

• Encouraged critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• The hands-on nature of the escape room required radiographers to think on their feet and make quick decisions in a set time limit, symbolizing the fast paced nature of radiology

Enhanced learning:

• Allowed radiographers to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical and hands-on manner
• Reinforced the idea that learning can be enjoyable and does not always have to be traditional or formal
• The event provided a memorable learning experience that solidified radiography knowledge 

Stress relief:

• Broke the monotony of daily routine, adding excitement to the workplace
• Highlighted the significance of balancing work with fun and leisure, promoting mental health
• Boosted staff morale leading to a more positive work environment
• Encouraged a culture of fun and creativity within the workplace

Network opportunity:

• Facilitated interaction between staff members from different departments, building a sense of community

Innovation:

• Introduced a creative learning method, showcasing a modern approach to education

Motivation for continuous learning:

• Sparked a desire for further learning
• Prompted radiographers to seek additional training or resources to deepen their knowledge

Cons

Logistical challenges:

• Required careful planning to ensure the escape room ran smoothly
• The need for adequate supervision and facilitation 

Participation barriers:

• Some radiographers were reluctant to participate in group activities, feeling uncomfortable in an escape room environment (the event was voluntary)
• Different levels of enthusiasm and engagement was noticed among participants

Resource allocation:

• Can demand resources (time, budget and space)
• The need for materials and preparation can be time consuming
• Requires time away from regular duties 

The event was heavily supported by our management team, therefore reducing the barriers we could have potentially faced when organising the radiology-based escape room.

Reporting radiographer and manager's prospective

All teams were observed throughout the challenge which yielded several benefits:

• It was observed how well radiographers worked together, which allowed us to help strengthen relationships if required

• Some of the tasks were more challenging and highlighted the problem-solving abilities of the radiographers

• We gained insights into how individuals approached the tasks and their critical thinking skills

• Effective communication is very important in both escape rooms and clinical settings^(1,2,3,4) 

• By watching how radiographers interacted, we were able to assess communication styles and identify areas for improvement

• Escape rooms can simulate high pressure situations^(1,2,3,4)

• We observed how radiographers handled stress and made decisions under time constraints, providing valuable insights into their coping mechanisms

• The CPD event revealed natural leaders within the team, we identified individuals who took initiative, delegated tasks, and guided the group towards the clue, helping us see leadership potential

• The format of the event encouraged out of box thinking, we could see how radiographers leveraged creativity to solve problems, which is beneficial for developing new protocols or improving workflows

• The experience allowed managers to provide feedback to individuals to help them grow and develop professionally

• The activity boosted morale among radiographers, this positive impact on team spirit was witnessed by the reporting radiographer team and the managers

• Behaviours and attitudes displayed during the event allowed us to assess whether these aligned with the trust values and culture, therefore helping us to reinforce or reshape team dynamics if needed

• Insights gained from observing the escape room can inform training programs, we could tailor professional development to address specific needs identified during the activity

Observing the radiographers complete the radiology-based escape room allowed us to gain valuable insights into the team dynamics, individual capabilities, and areas for growth, ultimately contributing to a more effective team in the clinical setting. ^(1,2,3,4)

Continuous professional development (CPD)

A CPD reflection tool was created for radiographers to help them assess their experiences and identify learning outcomes.