GAMIFY| Engaging Patients through the Thick & Thin?

"It's not easy to engage patients. They're busy, they're stressed, and they're often not interested in talking about their health." - John Halamka, CIO, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

I bet healthcare providers know this exactlook.

Enter ...🥁 Gamification!

Gamification in health is the use of game-like elements, such as points, badges, and levels, to encourage healthy behaviors and improve patient outcomes. It is a significant trend in healthcare because it can help to make healthcare more engaging and motivating for patients.

No more a daunting task, not a game enough, that's gamification for ya!

There are many potential benefits of gamification in health. For example, it can:

  • Improve patient engagement: Gamification can make healthcare more fun and interactive, which can help to keep patients engaged in their care.

  • Increase adherence to treatment: Gamification can help to motivate patients to stick to their treatment plans, such as taking medication or following a diet.

  • Promote healthy behaviors: Gamification can be used to promote healthy behaviors, such as exercising or eating a healthy diet.

  • Reduce healthcare costs: Gamification can help to reduce healthcare costs by improving patient outcomes and reducing the need for hospitalization.

But, how to implement this beast of a framework?

There are many different ways to implement gamification in health. Some examples include:

  • Healthcare apps: There are many healthcare apps that use gamification to encourage healthy behaviors. For example, the app Pacer uses a gamified pedometer to help users track their steps and achieve their fitness goals.

  • Web-based platforms: There are also many web-based platforms that use gamification to improve patient outcomes. For example, the platform PatientsLikeMe uses a gamified social network to connect patients with similar conditions and track their progress.

  • In-person programs: Gamification can also be used in in-person programs, such as weight loss programs or smoking cessation programs. For example, the program Spark uses a gamified approach to help people lose weight.

In a nutshell 🌰

Gamification is a promising new approach to improving health outcomes. It is a relatively new field, but there is growing evidence that it can be effective. As gamification continues to develop, it is likely to have a significant impact on the future of healthcare.

More to come on this topic 🤖