Examples of Gamification in Healthcare and their Benefits

Technology is transforming the face of healthcare. The common practice of visiting a doctor just when you are ill is gradually vanishing. Developing healthy habits is not always easy, but gamification makes it a little more enjoyable, engaging, simple, and joyous. Gamification can be used to motivate people in healthcare, whether it is for exercise, sleep, food, or mental health.

Healthcare Gamification: What Is It?

Gamification is the simple process of integrating gaming elements into non-gaming contexts, such as educational platforms, websites, and commercial settings. Gamification's primary goal is to improve user participation and engagement in processes and business operations. Gamification is most frequently used in health and wellness initiatives that deal with telemedicine, medication adherence, self-management, and disease prevention. The goal of healthcare gamification is to promote patient engagement by personalizing their experience, which is expected to boost the growth of the global healthcare gamification market.

Five Gamified Healthcare Games to Prolong Life

1. Respond Well

Respond Well's technology is intended to assist physical therapy patients in continuing their rehab exercise routines. Respond Well's platform makes use of motion sensor technologies. They use Microsoft's Kinect in their program, which has a variety of features to keep people engaged and their physicians updated on their progress.

2. Cohero Health

The consequences of failing to take one’s medication might be very severe for young asthma patients. However, Asthma Hero, an app that can assist young patients to adhere to a routine, is now available due to Cohero Health.

3. HubBub

The motto of HubBub is “Play Well Together.” It is intended to assist businesses in enhancing both overall productivity and the health of their workforce. After all, having greater health correlates to having more clarity of mind and energy. However, the usual office lifestyle of sitting for most of the day undermines these ideal states.

4. Synandus

Synandus provides "simulation learning technologies" to students and patients. One of its current applications is for individuals suffering from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a progressive disease that makes breathing difficult.

5. Reflexion Health

The aim of Reflexion Health is to "reimagine the physical treatment experience". Reflexion health developed a virtual instruction platform to solve this issue. Patients can watch an animated teacher model, showing a certain workout on their television.

Gamification’s Benefits for the Healthcare Sector

1. Lower Healthcare Costs

Gamification in healthcare can help boost patient engagement and lower healthcare costs. Healthcare professionals can lower the number of hospitalisations and office visits by employing games to encourage healthy behaviours. The game aids patients in better controlling their condition and preventing issues that would necessitate a trip to the hospital.

2. Improve Patient Engagement

Gamification in healthcare has the potential to increase patient engagement. Healthcare professionals can boost the likelihood of patients adhering to their treatment plan by employing games to promote good behaviours.

3. Reduce Patient Wait Times

Reducing patient wait times is another benefit of gamification in healthcare. Healthcare practitioners can improve the chances of seeing patients on time by utilizing games to encourage good behaviours. Patients who used a game to make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional waited less time than those who did not.

To Sum Up

Gamification in healthcare is among the most successful techniques of encouraging good behaviours and assisting patients in managing chronic diseases. Healthcare games are expanding to fulfil actual needs in an effort to make the world a better place. Additionally, gamification makes it possible to enjoy yourself while establishing a healthy lifestyle and avoiding illnesses and disorders before it's too late.

About the Author(s)

Princy A. J

Princy holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. University at Chennai, India. After a successful academic record, she pursued her passion for writing. A thorough professional and enthusiastic writer, she enjoys writing on various categories and advancements in the global industries. She plays an instrumental role in writing about current updates, news, blogs, and trends.