What is gamification?
What is gamification, what games elements can be used, and some examples applied to Healthcare.
What is gamification?
Gamification is the use of game design elements in non-game contexts, aiming to trigger specific user behaviors by tapping into an emotion, desire, or drive. The aim is to motivate and engage user to make tasks and activities more enjoyable and appealing by incorporating elements that are typically associated with games, called game design elements.
Game design elements
Game design elements are the motivators that will tap into human drives and emotion by creating a sense of progress and competition, offering rewards and challenges. They can be:
- Points/Levels
- Badges
- Leaderboards
- Performance Graphs
- Meaningful Stories
- Avatars
Examples applied to healthcare
- Fitness, nutrition apps to track performances, provide goals and feedback
> Fitbit, Apple Health - Mental health apps to help manage stress, anxiety, depressiveness…
> Happify, Moodfit - Healthcare apps for young people to accompany chronic health conditions or well-being behaviors
> Re-mission, MyTeeth - Educational apps often in addition to other functionalities
> Khan Academy, AstraZeneca’s Health Gate