Game-based learning as a promoter for positive health behaviours in young people

Maintaining the healthcare of young people living with long-term medical conditions is dependent upon them acquiring a range of self-care skills. Encouraging them to attain these as well as assessing their competency in them beyond the healthcare setting is challenging. The development of educational computer games like Health Heroes, Re-Mission, and Sparx have been shown to successfully improve self-care, communication, and adherence to medicines in young patients. Therefore, this medium might be an alternative means for delivery of healthcare information. In this chapter, we propose that by encapsulating healthcare processes in Game-Based Learning (GBL) either by computer games or by applying the principles of gamification, a more fun, structured, and objective process would be created, one to which young people can relate. The framework we suggest will provide doctors with an insight into how GBL could be used positively in a healthcare setting as well as provide a basis for application to other disciplines where knowledge and skill acquisition can be challenging. © 2014 by IGI Global. All rights reserved