All fun and games? Exploring the positive effects educational video games can have on medical learners

Abstract

Video games have transcended from being a simple pastime to a cultural phenomenon. With recent advances in computer processing and storage technology, this type of interactive media can provide a fun experience to anyone with a portable device, children and adults alike. Recently, video games have found their way into medical education. Due to their intrinsic immersiveness, sensorimotor stimulation, and lifelike simulation capacities, medical-based games have become a popular medium for educational developers to create products that help elevate traditional pedagogical methods. This review will discuss the positive aspects of medical video games and provide specific examples of how they have benefited medical education for both novice and expert learners.