How gamification is changing healthcare

October 31, 2022

It's no secret that 2020 has been a tough year for everyone. The pandemic has forced us to change the way we live and work, and many of us have had to confront our own mortality. In the midst of all this, there's been a silver lining: an increase in awareness of our own well-being. We're more mindful of the importance of taking care of ourselves, both physically and mentally. And gamification has emerged as a powerful tool for driving permanent behavioral change. 

More and more organizations are implementing gamified healthcare programs, coupling them with rewards to motivate their employees or customers to make healthier lifestyle choices. Gamification is an effective way to dispel the two main barriers to healthy living: lack of motivation and lack of access to coaching. By shaping healthier, more dynamic behaviors, gamification is changing the healthcare landscape for the better. 

What is gamification in healthcare?

Gamification is the use of game mechanics and game-thinking in non-game contexts to engage users, solve problems, and change behavior. When it comes to healthcare, gamification can take many different forms. For example, some companies offer employees discounts on health insurance premiums if they complete a certain number of steps each day, while others provide rewards for meeting fitness goals. 

Healthcare gamification is an innovative approach to engaging your staff or customers with personalized goals covering health and well-being factors, including calorie intake water consumption sleep patterns physical activity. There are also important aspects within these games that need attention such as motivational messages/achiever badges, challenges among peers leaderboards for points that can be redeemed into gifts from reward catalogs when daily / weekly achievements have been reached.

Why gamification works 

One of the reasons gamification is so effective is that it taps into our natural desire for social approval and recognition. When we see that our peers are getting rewarded for making healthy choices, we're more likely to want to do the same. Additionally, gamification provides immediate feedback that helps us track our progress and see the impact of our decisions in real time. 

The impact of gamification on healthcare 

Organizations that implement gamified healthcare programs often see a decrease in sick days, an increase in productivity, and an affinity to the company. In one study, 67% of employees who work for organizations with wellness programs said they like their jobs more and are very likely to recommend their employer to others. And when it comes to Return on Investment (ROI), gamified healthcare programs have been shown to generate USD 4 dollars for every dollar spent on wellness programs (BambooHR). 

There's no doubt about it: gamification is changing healthcare for the better. By tapping into our natural desires and providing immediate feedback, gamification is motivating people to make healthier lifestyle choices. As a result, organizations that implement these programs are seeing a decrease in sick days and an increase in productivity. If you're looking for a way to improve your company's bottom line, INGO Health is a great place to start. Contact our team today for a customized solution for your company!

INGO gamifies health to help you instill healthy habits daily. Reach your personalized daily goals, earn points, and get rewarded for your efforts with vouchers and discounts. Discover The Game and the Smart Water Bottle!

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