Overview of Serious Gaming and Virtual Reality

Serious Games and Virtual Reality (VR) have been accelerating in their quality and ubiquity within healthcare simulation, and the variety of technological innovations is outpacing the healthcare research community’s ability to evaluate their effects as an intervention or their utility in simulating an environment for research. This chapter seeks to highlight unique advantages and challenges when using serious games or VR for healthcare research that are different than those encountered with other simulation modalities such as manikins, simulated/standardized patients etc. First, we define the terminology surrounding the concept of serious games and VR, including the advantages and disadvantages for their utility in answering important healthcare research questions. Second, we provide insight into optimal models of research that are suited for serious games or VR. Finally, we describe the development process for researchers to integrate research methodologies during the development phase.