From Boardgames to HoloLens: Serious Game-Playing at the Hospital

The ancient Romans knew the secret: The suspense in a game is what keeps it interesting. That’s why the learning and development (L&D) team at Franciscus Gasthuis & Vlietland Hospital relies on this age-old principle when sharing new information or introducing tough subjects to handle. Adding serious games into work situations enhances learners’ experience and boosts the take-up of new information.

But how do we abide by these principles in a time of social distancing? Facing new training conundrums like how to teach doctors and nurses to recognize COVID-19 without being next to the patient forced us to think differently. We deployed new learning methods that could be practiced remotely, allowing for mistakes, without putting anyone—patients or healthcare professionals—in danger.

This session shares successful strategies for deploying serious game examples in a variety of contexts. You’ll learn how innovative, serious games can be used to enhance the learning experience of your employees, help learning be absorbed better, reach remote audiences, and allow learning through trial and experience. You’ll explore what type of games can be used for different learning purposes. By joining our session you’ll join our “game room,” becoming acquainted with what serious games are, the background of serious games, and how serious games can work for different learning objectives.

We’ll share examples of a Dutch hospital’s use of serious games, whether traditional board games or advanced tech games such as virtual reality HoloLens solutions. And you’ll meet Harry, our virtual patient with a bad case of COVID-19. Throughout the session, we’ll explore the role of Hologram Harry in the hospital education program for diagnosing and treating COVID-19. Harry shows how lifelike and immersive learning experiences help people learn and apply new knowledge more quickly. You’ll leave this session inspired of how serious games can work for your organization.

In this session, you will learn:

• What serious games are
• How to leverage serious games for a range of learning objectives
• How serious games can work for your organization
• About the successful use of serious games in a Dutch hospital