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HTML5 Games in Patient Entertainment Systems

Nov 18 2024

The use of games in healthcare facilities is becoming increasingly more common because hospitals can sometimes prove to be stressful environments, and over the past decade, entertainment systems (Also known as Interactive Patient Care Systems, or PES)—interactive touch-screen monitors installed beside patients’ beds—have found an important place within healthcare facilities.

These systems bring much-needed comfort, distraction, and engagement for patients during their stay. 

PES systems often offer movies, music, e-books, and games, serving two purposes: entertaining patients and enhancing the overall rehabilitation experience.

What Features Do Patient-Friendly Games Must Have?

However, their primary goals are to reduce stress, lift patients’ moods, and, in turn, support their well-being during their hospital stay.

Because of that, these systems have helped transform hospitals from simply clinical environments into places that actively promote healing and recovery.

In this piece, I’ll focus on the importance of games (particularly web games) within these systems, take a brief look at their effectiveness, and compare them with other entertainment options like movies, music, and e-books.

Patient Feedback and Qualitative Insights

Patients and clinicians alike have reported positive feedback regarding the use of video games in hospital settings.

Many patients, particularly in pediatric care, describe games as providing an escape from the stress and discomfort of hospital environments.

For instance, some patients have shared that games helped them feel less scared during procedures or while waiting for surgery, while others felt that games “made the time go by faster” and allowed them to focus on something other than their medical condition.

Additionally, clinicians observe that patients who engage in gaming are often in better spirits, show fewer pain complaints, and are more cooperative during treatments.

Such feedback underscores the value of gaming not only as a form of entertainment but also as a tool for emotional and cognitive support.

 

The Increasing Importance of Entertainment Systems in Healthcare Facilities

These systems are proving to be advantageous for both patients and staff, improving the overall hospital experience by improving patient satisfaction and streamlining staff workflows.

Reduced Isolation and Mental Stimulation for Patients 

Patient entertainment systems help reduce isolation during hospital stays by providing engaging content that also offers mental stimulation through educational and interactive features.

This promotes a sense of normalcy and supports recovery, especially for elderly patients.

Enhanced Patient Satisfaction

Studies by Spark TSL and Sentrics show that these systems significantly improve the patient experience by offering entertainment and health-related information that enhances overall well-being and contributes to a more positive hospital stay.

Improved Efficiency and Staff Workflows 

For hospital staff, these systems streamline operations by offering practical services like meal ordering, direct communication with medical staff, and educational content.

According to the findings of Healthcare Facilities Today, it helps reduce inefficiencies and enhances staff workflows.

Better Coordination and Communication

Entertainment systems support staff in improving communication with patients, offering tools that help coordinate care more effectively, ultimately boosting patient satisfaction and improving the quality of care.

 

 

Why Games Are So Effective in Hospital Settings?

Engagement and Immersion

Games, unlike other forms of entertainment like movies or music, require more active participation and mental focus from users.

This active engagement makes them particularly effective at distracting patients from their pain and discomfort.

Cognitive and Emotional Benefits 

According to the studies, By involving the player in problem-solving, strategy, and skill-building, games provide a strong cognitive distraction that can help shift focus away from physical sensations of pain or anxiety.

A study published in HealthcareFacilitiesToday revealed that playing games can lead to remarkable improvements in both emotional and cognitive well-being.

The active engagement required in many games has been shown to reduce stress, enhance mood, and promote mental stimulation, all of which support the recovery process.

 

Physical and Occupational Therapy Support

Certain types of games, particularly motion-sensor games, actively promote physical movement, which can greatly benefit patients’ rehabilitation and recovery.

These games require patients to move their bodies, helping to improve strength, coordination, and motor skills.

This physical engagement makes therapy sessions not only more enjoyable but also more effective, as patients are more likely to stay motivated and participate actively in their recovery process.

To learn more about, don’t forget to read the Use of Gaming for Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation by Otdude.

 

Comparing Each Entertainment Options 

As mentioned earlier, the Patient Entertainment Systems (PES), besides games, also includes movies, music, and ebooks. Let’s compare them briefly:

 

As you can see above, games provide longer-term distraction and cognitive engagement, improving emotional well-being, mood, and even physical coordination in some cases.

Games are especially effective during rehabilitation, making therapy sessions more enjoyable and effective.

 

What Would Be the Best Solution to Integrate Games into Patient Care Systems?

When it comes to integrating games on these systems, HTML5 games have become an increasingly popular choice for hospital entertainment systems, thanks to their ability to:

• Run directly in web browsers without the need for additional software or hardware.
• Easy to implement across a wide range of devices, from computers to mobile phones.
• Allowing greater accessibility for both patients and healthcare facilities​

All in all, as healthcare providers seek to enhance patient well-being, the integration of HTML5 games in healthcare facilities is proving to be a cost-effective and scalable solution that supports rehabilitation and recovery while keeping patients engaged.

Conclusion

In summary, Patient Entertainment Systems (PES) have transformed hospital stays by creating a more engaging, comforting, and supportive environment for patients.

Among various entertainment options, games uniquely offer both cognitive and emotional benefits, helping patients manage stress, reduce anxiety, and even assist in physical rehabilitation.

The interactive and immersive nature of games can make a significant difference in enhancing patient well-being, turning passive waiting times into periods of active engagement and relief.

For healthcare facilities aiming to enhance patient satisfaction and support the healing process, integrating HTML5 games in healthcare facilities’ entertainment systems is a practical and flexible choice.

These games run seamlessly across devices, require minimal setup, and are accessible, allowing facilities to offer a broad selection of interactive, therapeutic content.

All in all, investing in game-based solutions within healthcare settings can play a vital role in making healthcare more patient-centered and positively impactful.