Health Care Gamification: A Study of Game Mechanics and Elements

Internet users are searching for healthcare-related information at unprecedented rates. However, health researchers and providers have only just begun to utilize new technologies to deliver medical education online and through smartphone-based applications. Gamification, an increasingly popular method to produce positive behavioral change, has become a source of interest for private industry as well as academic researchers. In this review, we conducted literature searches to provide an initial framework for researchers to classify gamification studies. We provide a short list of popular gamification elements to help develop a definition for gamification in healthcare.