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. 2014 Nov 11;2(2):e11.
doi: 10.2196/games.3825.

How to systematically assess serious games applied to health care

Maurits Graafland  1 , Mary Dankbaar, Agali Mert, Joep Lagro, Laura De Wit-Zuurendonk, Stephanie Schuit, Alma Schaafstal, Marlies Schijven
Affiliations

How to systematically assess serious games applied to health care

Maurits Graafland et al. JMIR Serious Games. .

Abstract

The usefulness and effectiveness of specific serious games in the medical domain is often unclear. This is caused by a lack of supporting evidence on validity of individual games, as well as a lack of publicly available information. Moreover, insufficient understanding of design principles among the individuals and institutions that develop or apply a medical serious game compromises their use. This article provides the first consensus-based framework for the assessment of specific medical serious games. The framework provides 62 items in 5 main themes, aimed at assessing a serious game's rationale, functionality, validity, and data safety. This will allow caregivers and educators to make balanced choices when applying a serious game for healthcare purposes. Furthermore, the framework provides game manufacturers with standards for the development of new, valid serious games.

Keywords: applied game; consensus; mobile health; serious game; telehealth; video game.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

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