Videogame and videogame technologies are increasingly being used to improve skills for the health care professional, the volunteer and the patient.  In the consumer space, games are being designed to inform and teach families about proper health care, the working of the body and the importance of staying fit.

A major area of focus is on training for medical professionals, including doctors, nurses, medics/EMTs, lab technicians and pharmacists.  Surgeons can watch simulations that help teach them medical procedures.

Games are also now widely used for physical rehabilitation of patients. Games are also being used to help patients address psychological and emotional Issues.  Simulation games, for instance, have improved the well being of people with phobic disorders. Other games have been designed to help heal, prevent or at least relieve pain for patients who suffer from burns. Still others help slow down degenerative procedures to easing the pain caused by chemotherapy sessions.

Several trends have blended together to help move games for health ahead:

• More powerful, efficient game engines and AI systems
• Conversion of off-the-shelf game technologies — software, hardware, and controllers — for use in medical simulations
• Development of medical and biological content in a form that can be incorporated more easily into games for health care training and education.

The Serious Games Association is interested in assembling an online resource that will make study of these many developments more accessible.  Please help us assemble a directory by listing your games and simulations in our international serious game directory.  Click here to list your game.