Video Games, Hospital Environments, technological advancement
In today's world, technological advancement is the key trend characterizing every field of operation. The world of computer and video games has not been left behind in this wave of rampant technological advancement. With the emergence of the first generation of computer games happening in the early 1970s, several generations have since then arose and been faced off until the current one. Currently, computer games are in the eighth generation and there is much technological design to fancy in them. Arriving at this point, the world of computer games has experienced tremendous changes, especially in terms of the types of games, the design, as well as the gaming platforms. The essence of having computer games is experiencing the fun in playing them. More so, there are many devices that have been developed over the years to enhance the interaction between the games and the players.
However, the most important feature in the evolution of video games is the fact that they have been incorporated in vary many operational fields such as education, work places and health facilities. However, in as much as the presence of video games in any of these sectors has gained mainstream foundation, there still are some schools of thought that argue for or against the presence of this technology in their environment. One of these sectors, is the hospital environment, has been under critical evaluation resulting to differences between proponents and opponents of video games in hospital environment.
[...] All this stands out as one reason supporting the use video games by patients in hospitals. Surname 4 The proponents of video games in the hospital environment also forward another reason citing the ability for the games to be applied for medical training purposes. Even though the use of video games for training is a relatively new phenomenon compared to treatment, there have been notable advancements in the field. Medical training using video games has evolved from simple simulations to the use of computer-generated, three dimensional interactive software which has proved to be a viable replacement for mannequins and cadavers. [...]
[...] However, on the other hand, there are some schools of thought that strongly argue against the above positive effects of video games in hospitals. Firstly, the summary of evolution studies on the effectiveness of these games to patients illustrates a strong effect with respect to teaching anything to the patients unless if the patients have sufficient prior knowledge (Peng and Liu 397). Even though the major objective of any intervention in the heath care sector is behavior modification, the effects of video games results to no such outcome to patients as studies show. [...]
[...] In the pursuit of designing games intended for health enhancement, it is advisable for game designers to work closely with the researchers and providers of health care, so as to effectively manage the incorporation of key theoretical elements and therefore implement the various features of the games based on sound advice from the stakeholders who understand the patients in a better way (Peng and Liu 398). In short, as the proponents highlight, video games in the hospitals are of relative importance to the patients. The only measure that should be taken to level the differing opinions from the opponents is the incorporation of health care providers in the panel that designs the games designed specifically for health purposes. Surname 7 Bibliography Bruggers, C. [...]
[...] American Psychological Association April Peng, Wei and Ming Liu. "An Overview of Using Electronic Games for Health Purposes." IGI Global (2009): 388-401. Rosser, James C., et al. “Impact of Video Games on Training Surgeons in the 21st Century.” Arch Surg (2007): 181-186. [...]
[...] For example, a leading common conception even with health care practitioners is that realistic graphics are necessary for electronic games to ultimately engage the patients (Peng and Liu 397). However, this is just an opinion which is based on little or no investigation. In light of this, there should be research to substantiate this opinion which could possibly result to the better understanding by the health care practitioners if such features as graphics are really necessary towards the yielding of positive results in using video games for health purposes for the patients in the hospitals. [...]
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