The healthcare industry is in need of change. With an aging population and increasing healthcare costs, the industry is struggling to keep up. However, there is hope! Gamification can help healthcare providers engage patients and improve healthcare outcomes. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of gamification in healthcare and how it can be used to improve patient engagement and medication adherence.

Gamification is the use of game-like elements in non-game contexts. When used in healthcare, gamification can improve patient engagement and motivation. Gamification can also be used to promote healthy behaviors, such as taking medication as prescribed. One study found that patients who used a gamified medication adherence app were more likely to take their medication than those who did not use the app.

There are many potential benefits of gamification in healthcare. Gamification can improve patient engagement by making healthcare more fun and interactive. Gamification can also help motivate patients to stick with their treatment plan and take their medication as prescribed. In addition, gamification can promote healthy behaviors and help patients manage their chronic conditions.

But before we get into the benefits of gamification in healthcare, let’s take a closer look at the healthcare industry’s challenges.

The main challenges facing the healthcare industry

An aging population

The healthcare industry is facing an aging population. As people live longer, they are more likely to develop chronic conditions that require long-term care. This is a challenge for healthcare providers, as it can be difficult to keep up with the demand for services. 

A growing number of chronic conditions

Not only is the population aging, but the number of chronic conditions is also on the rise. According to the World Health Organization, the number of people living with chronic diseases is expected to increase from 38% in 2008 to 50% by 2030. This is a challenge for healthcare providers, as it can be challenging to keep up with the demand for services.

Chronic diseases are responsible for the majority of deaths worldwide. In fact, chronic diseases account for 86% of all deaths in the United States. This is a challenge for healthcare providers, as it can be difficult to treat patients with multiple chronic conditions.

A need for healthcare solutions

With an aging population and a growing number of chronic conditions, there is a need for healthcare solutions that can help patients manage their conditions and improve their health. This is where gamification comes in. Gamification can be used to engage patients and promote healthy behaviors. In addition, gamification can be used to lower healthcare costs.

Increasing healthcare costs

Another challenge facing the healthcare industry is increasing healthcare costs. With an aging population and more people developing chronic conditions, healthcare costs are rising. This is a challenge for both healthcare providers and patients, as it can be difficult to afford the care that is needed. 

Healthcare providers are increasingly under pressure to provide quality healthcare at lower prices. But on the other hand, patients often struggle to pay for the care they need without sacrificing other essentials like groceries and mortgage payments.

A lack of integration with technology

One of the challenges facing healthcare is the low level of integration with technology. Healthcare providers are under pressure to adopt new technologies, but many are struggling to keep up with the pace of change. This is a challenge for both healthcare providers and patients, as it can be difficult to access the care that is needed.

This is also a challenge for young patients who are accustomed to accessing everything they need conveniently on their phones. Many young patients would rather google their symptoms to try and determine what they have than endure the tedious process of going to the hospital and waiting in lines to see a doctor.

Low patient engagement

One of the challenges facing healthcare is low patient engagement. Many people do not take their medication as prescribed, even for life-threatening conditions. This is a challenge for healthcare providers, as it can be difficult to keep patients engaged in their care.

It is estimated that only 50% of patients with chronic conditions adhere to their treatment plan. This means that half of all patients are not taking their medication as prescribed, leading to serious health complications.

These are just some of the challenges facing healthcare today. But there is hope. Gamification can help healthcare providers overcome these challenges and improve the quality of care they provide. So let’s look at some of the benefits of gamification in healthcare. 

Benefits of gamification in the healthcare industry

There are several benefits of gamification in healthcare. Gamification can help healthcare providers to:

Improve patient engagement

A key benefit of gamification in healthcare is that it can help to improve patient engagement. By using games to promote healthy behaviors, healthcare providers can increase the likelihood that patients will adhere to their treatment plan.

In one study, it was found that patients who used a game to manage their diabetes had better blood sugar control than those who did not use the game. In addition, the study showed that the game helped patients better understand their condition and make healthier choices about their diet and exercise.

Another study found that patients who used a game to control their blood pressure had lower blood pressure than those who did not use the game. The study showed that the game helped patients better understand their condition and make healthier choices about their lifestyle.

Lower healthcare costs

In addition to improving patient engagement, gamification for healthcare can also help to lower healthcare costs. By using games to promote healthy behaviors, healthcare providers can reduce the number of office visits and hospitalizations.

In the study referenced above, it was found that patients who used a game to manage their diabetes had fewer emergency room visits than those who did not use the game. The study showed that the game helped patients better manage their condition and avoid complications that could lead to a hospital visit. 

Increase the quality of care

Additionally, gamification in healthcare can also help to increase the quality of care. By using games to promote healthy behaviors, healthcare providers can improve the overall quality of care they provide.

In the study mentioned above, it was found that patients who used a game to manage their diabetes had better blood sugar control than those who did not use the game. The study showed that the game helped patients to make healthier choices about their diet and lifestyle.

Improve access to care

Gamification in healthcare can also help to improve access to care. By using games to promote healthy behaviors, healthcare providers can increase the likelihood of patients seeking out and using healthcare services.

In the diabetes study mentioned above, it was found that patients who used the game were more likely to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider than those who did not use the game. The study showed that the game helped patients to understand their condition better and, as a result, were more willing to seek help than those that did not play the game.

Reduce patient wait times

Gamification in healthcare can also help to reduce patient wait times. By using games to promote healthy behaviors, healthcare providers can increase the likelihood of patients being seen on time.

In one study, it was found that patients who used a game to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider had shorter wait times than those who did not use the game. 

Improve patient outcomes

Finally, gamification in healthcare can also help to improve patient outcomes. By using games to promote healthy behaviors, healthcare providers can increase patients’ likelihood of achieving their health goals.

These are just some of the benefits of gamification in healthcare. Gamification is a powerful tool that healthcare providers can use to improve patient engagement, lower healthcare costs, increase the quality of care, improve access to care, and reduce patient wait times. 

If you’re a healthcare provider, it’s time to start thinking about how you can use gamification to improve your business. If you’re a patient, it’s time to start looking for healthcare providers who are using gamification to enhance the quality of care they provide.

Integrate gamification into healthcare

Gamification can be a powerful tool to help healthcare providers improve the quality of care they provide. By using gamification to promote healthy behaviors, healthcare providers can overcome some of their challenges, such as low patient engagement and high healthcare costs.

However, gamification is not simply about giving patients a game to play but rather curating a patient journey that is engaging and appeals to either some or all of the eight-core drives in the Octalysis Framework for gamification. For instance, creating a platform that gives patients ownership and autonomy (Core Drive 4) over their healthcare and unpredictability (Core Drive 7) could dramatically increase patient engagement with their healthcare providers and therapies. 

Healthcare providers need to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to gamification. Healthcare providers need to consider their target audience carefully and what motivates them before designing a gamified solution.

When done correctly, gamification can be a powerful tool to help healthcare providers improve patient engagement and the overall quality of care. So if you’re a healthcare provider, it’s time to start thinking about how you can use gamification to improve your business. 

Patients also need to be on the lookout for healthcare providers using gamification as part of their offering. Look for healthcare providers who are using gamification to promote healthy behaviors and who offer patients a platform that gives them ownership and autonomy over their healthcare. These are the healthcare providers leading the way in gamification and setting the standard for quality care.

Are you interested in learning more about how you can integrate gamification into your healthcare offering to your patients? Please contact us today to get started on your journey to gamify your healthcare services and attract more clients.