Serious games, those used for educational purposes, provide a suitable alternative to customary methods of teaching and learning (Hainey, 2010) and have been identified as appropriate for preparing healthcare professionals to successfully practice in a dynamic, rapidly changing environment. This paper addresses the following question, what is the empirical evidence that supports the use of serious games and virtual simulation in educating healthcare professionals? This review included studies from five different countries including the U.S. and from several healthcare professions such as nursing, medicine, public health, and occupational therapy. Nine quantitative and one mixed methods studies were reviewed. Garrison's Community of Inquiry Theory was used as a framework for analysis of studies using serious games. The use of these novel teaching strategies was found to increase the levels of student engagement and improve learning and understanding. These studies showed that the advantages of serious games were that they provided immediate feedback, created real-life situations, addressed faculty shortages, protected patient confidentiality, offered alternatives to clinical sites, and provided unique clinical experiences from nursing students. To capitalize on these advantages and find success with this approach, it is recommended that nursing educators need a solid understanding of game-based learning (Kanthan & Senger, 2011). Educators need to continue to design tools that evaluate the learning outcomes of serious games, specifically in the practice setting. Additionally, implementing innovative teaching methods such as serious games requires collaboration between researchers and educators to establish a foundation for evidence-based teaching.

"This book explains how digital environments can easily become familiar and beneficial for educational and professional development, with the implementation of games into various aspects of our environment"--Provided by publisher.

With advances in technologies and revolutions in patient, trainee, and public expectations, the global healthcare sector is increasingly turning to serious games to solve problems. Serious games are applications with serious purposes, developed using computer game technologies more often associated with entertainment. Serious Games for Healthcare: Applications and Implications will introduce the development and application of game technologies for health-related serious games. Further, it provides cutting-edge academic research and industry updates which will inform readers about the current and future advances in the area. Encapsulating the knowledge of commercial and noncommercial researchers, developers, and practitioners in a single volume will benefit not only the research and development community within this field, but could also serve public health interests by improving awareness and outcomes.

There is a tremendous interest among researchers for the development of virtual, augmented reality and games technologies due to their widespread applications in medicine and healthcare. To date the major applications of these technologies include medical simulation, telemedicine, medical and healthcare training, pain control, visualisation aid for surgery, rehabilitation in cases such as stroke, phobia and trauma therapies. Many recent studies have identified the benefits of using Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality or serious games in a variety of medical applications. This research volume on Virtual, Augmented Reality and Serious Games for Healthcare 1 offers an insightful introduction to the theories, development and applications of virtual, augmented reality and digital games technologies in medical and clinical settings and healthcare in general. It is divided into six sections: section one presents a selection of applications in medical education and healthcare management; Section two relates to the nursing training, health literacy and healthy behaviour; Section three presents the applications of Virtual Reality in neuropsychology; Section four includes a number of applications in motor rehabilitation; Section five aimed at therapeutic games for various diseases; and the final section presents the applications of Virtual Reality in healing and restoration. This book is directed to the healthcare professionals, scientists, researchers, professors and the students who wish to explore the applications of virtual, augmented reality and serious games in healthcare further.

The last century has witnessed tremendous changes in the education and training system of medical students, as well as medical and surgical residents, in short, our future physicians. This has been the result of the changes in the educational philosophy, the technology, and the needs of our patients, just to name a few. The challenge is to learn more about the various systems in medical education throughout the world and identify advantages and disadvantages, a process from which we can all (and most importantly our patients) benefit from. This book is a compilation of the experiences, thoughts, and "best-practice" advice of a panel of international experts on medical and surgical education.

Learn best practices for successfully integrating virtual simulation into nursing curriculum Written for students in nurse educator programs, nursing faculty, and other health care educators, Virtual Simulation in Nursing Education unpacks the necessary tools for successful integration of technology into nursing programs. The benefits of virtual simulation in nursing education are innumerable: less expensive, easier to access, and location independent compared with nondigital simulations. Yet the evolving nature of both curricula and technology complicates the implementation of a coherent integration plan. Success requires a coordinated impetus from faculty, administrators, and students to enrich a technologically enhanced learning landscape. With a practical, how-to focus, this book describes the unique dynamics and demands of using virtual simulation as a core teaching method and focuses on the best practices for integrating this technology into the nursing curriculum. The first text to detail systematic strategies for faculty, students, and administrators, Virtual Simulation in Nursing Education examines the most effective teaching methods and activities, discusses challenges and pitfalls to integrating virtual simulation into a curriculum, and examines how learning outcomes are met. With an eye toward motivating students to embrace technology throughout their careers, content illustrates how students can leverage technologies to maximize learning and support practice. Replete with savvy tips from virtual simulation experts, chapters include exemplars that present the models in real-life scenarios, and clinical reasoning questions to reinforce learning. Key Features: Accompanied by an Instructor’s Manual and PowerPoint slides Teaches students of nurse educator programs, nurse educators, and administrators how to successfully use virtual simulation Provides useful tools, best practices, and savvy strategies for integrating technology into the curriculum Includes examples and clinical reasoning questions to reinforce content Demonstrates how students can maximize learning and support practice with virtual simulation technology Provides a firm foundation for students to embrace technology throughout their careers

Founded in 2004, the Games for Health Project supports community, knowledge and business development efforts to use cutting-edge games and game technologies to improve health and health care. The Games for Health Conference brings together researchers, medical professionals and game developers to share information about the impact of games, playful interaction and game technologies on health, health care and policy. Over two days, more than 400 attendees participate in over 60 sessions provided by an international array of 80+ speakers, cutting across a wide range of activities in health and health care. Topics include exergaming, physical therapy, disease management, health behavior change, biofeedback, rehab, epidemiology, training, cognitive health, nutrition and health education.