There’s no sugarcoating it – healthcare is one of the most complex, high-stakes industries on the planet. So it’s no surprise that the field is also at the forefront of using game-based learning to support everything from skills training to empathy building. Throughout March, we explored how simulations, serious games, and immersive technologies are changing the face of care, from pediatric patients to seasoned providers. Let’s recap the latest stories that caught our attention this month.
If you’ve ever tried to memorize a nursing textbook chapter on wound management, you know it’s…a lot. But what if learning to identify conditions like incontinence-associated dermatitis felt more like solving puzzles in an escape room? One study did exactly that, and the results were striking. Not only did students show improved diagnostic skills and preventive knowledge, but they also sharpened their teamwork and critical thinking along the way. And beyond the game mechanics, VR-based training helped 89% of surveyed nurses feel more emotionally prepared for tough scenarios like end-of-life care. Emotional resilience, meet interactive design.
At Corewell Health’s new Clinical Simulation Center, residents are learning in the future. Outfitted with AR surgical tools and VR training rooms, the 10,000-square-foot facility lets trainees perform delicate procedures with all the pressure and none of the peril. Dr. Allison Hoppe described simulator-based procedures as more challenging than real-world counterparts, illustrating how game-based environments can stretch learners beyond the minimum threshold of competency. This kind of local training is reducing the need for out-of-state rotations and bringing skill development closer to home.
Imagine battling MRI claustrophobia with a headset instead of a sedative. That’s exactly what’s happening at Nebraska Medicine, where VR exposure therapy is helping patients face their fears and complete necessary scans, no pharmaceuticals required. Meanwhile, VR is also being used for everything from interprofessional emergency simulations at Yale to middle school career exploration via Enduvo VR. What these use cases share is more than novelty: they’re making healthcare feel accessible, understandable, and in some cases, even empowering. The future of patient-centered care may come with a loading screen.
At Children’s Hospital Colorado, patients are battling back from cancer treatment with…hamburger-shooting cat blasters. That’s Booger Blaster, a VR physical therapy game that masks motor rehab with whimsical mechanics, and it’s working. For 11-year-old Alyson McPherson, punching and kicking in-game was the first time therapy didn’t feel like a chore. Meanwhile, on the cognitive side of the aisle, tools like CogniviveVR and FastBrain are offering personalized rehab through adaptive difficulty, activating neuroplasticity in real-time. And if fantasy roleplay is more your speed, therapists in Philadelphia are using Dungeons & Dragons to help clients build confidence, social skills, and emotional awareness. Game night just became group therapy.
When it comes to pediatric learning, games are downright formative. A meta-analysis of early childhood studies found that digital games can boost attention, memory, emotional regulation, and even healthy lifestyle habits. Case in point: the board game Toward Health, which encourages better sleep, nutrition, and exercise habits through cooperative play and token-based rewards. And while the study focused on a physical format, its mechanics are tailor-made for digital adaptation. For developers focused on young learners, the lesson is clear: when it comes to whole-child growth, gameplay is essential.
Let’s be real: empathy isn’t something you can cram for. But it is something you can practice, and at the University of Colorado’s dental school, first-year students are doing just that through a poverty simulation. By stepping into the roles of low-income individuals navigating transportation, food access, and healthcare, students experienced firsthand the obstacles their future patients might face. Meanwhile, games like Night Shift are sharpening emergency physicians’ triage decisions, while VR distraction games are reducing pain for patients during wound care. One trial even reported a 27% drop in peak pain. Clinical practice meets cognitive science, with a side of meaningful gameplay.
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From simulation centers to virtual waiting rooms, March was a month full of promising developments in healthcare training and therapy. Whether it’s building emotional stamina or improving technical skills, game-based learning continues to offer tools that are rigorous, engaging, and human-centered.
Interested in building your own healthcare-focused learning game or simulation? We can help. Contact us today to get started.