AI-Supported Gamified Training for Sharps Injury Prevention in Nurses

This study aims to evaluate the effect of a Health Belief Model (HBM)-based, artificial intelligence (AI)-supported gamified training program on nurses' knowledge and attitudes toward the prevention of sharps injuries. Sharps injuries remain a significant occupational risk for healthcare workers, particularly nurses, despite existing standard precautions. The study will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the validity and reliability of the Sharps Injury Prediction Scale will be tested in a nurse population. In the second phase, a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design will be used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. The study will be carried out in two hospitals from the same healthcare group located in different cities to prevent interaction between groups. A total of 36 nurses will be included, with 18 participants in the intervention group and 18 in the control group. The intervention group will receive a structured, HBM-based training program consisting of seven sessions incorporating AI-supported content, gamified scenarios, interactive materials, and feedback mechanisms to enhance engagement and promote behavior change. The control group will receive routine institutional training on sharps injury prevention. Data will be collected at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and two months later. Outcome measures include nurses' knowledge, attitudes toward safe sharps use, and sharps injury risk perception. It is expected that the AI-supported gamified training program will significantly improve knowledge, attitudes, and risk awareness compared to routine training. The findings may support the integration of innovative, theory-based educational interventions into institutional training programs to enhance occupational safety.