Introduction
Sudden deaths, particularly those caused by heart attacks, strokes, and injuries, remain a major global health challenge. These incidents often occur without warning and claim the lives of individuals who might have been saved with timely intervention or early detection. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases alone account for nearly 32% of global deaths, many of which are preventable with improved public awareness and timely medical attention.
One of the key reasons behind these preventable deaths is the lack of knowledge regarding the early warning signs of life-threatening conditions. For instance, many heart attack and stroke victims do not recognize the symptoms early enough to seek urgent medical care. Studies have shown that the administration of first aid or CPR in the first few minutes of a heart attack or stroke can drastically improve survival rates. In fact, immediate intervention can double or even triple a person’s chances of survival
How Can Designers Help?
The intersection of design and healthcare presents a unique opportunity to address these challenges. Is this topic relevant in the tech industry? Absolutely—it’s a rapidly growing sector. The health tech market is thriving, offering immense potential for innovation.
According to Grand View Research, “The Global Digital Health Market was valued at $211 billion in 2022, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% until 2030.” This growth underscores the opportunity for UX design to enhance user interaction with healthcare services and platforms, bridging the gap between complex medical systems and user-friendly experiences.
Gamification is one such design approach being widely adopted across industries to improve user engagement. By leveraging elements of human psychology—such as the drive for achievement, competition, and recognition—gamification transforms routine or challenging tasks into enjoyable, engaging activities. For example:
- Education: Apps like Duolingo use streaks and points to encourage consistent learning.
- Fitness: MySugr gamifies diabetes management by providing users with engaging tasks.
- Healthcare: HealthTap rewards users for engaging with health-related content, promoting health literacy.
In healthcare, gamification helps bridge the gap between knowledge and action, motivating users to adopt healthier lifestyles and sustain long-term behavior change.
Research Topic
My motivation to explore this topic stems from my close connections to the medical field, as many of my relatives work in healthcare. Their experiences have provided valuable insights into how ordinary people can take proactive steps to prevent various illnesses. While I initially aspired to become a doctor, I chose a different career path. However, my desire to contribute to improving public health remains unwavering.
Preventive healthcare holds immense potential, yet a significant portion of the population remains unaware of its importance. Measures such as early detection of diseases, vaccinations, and lifestyle adjustments can significantly reduce the risk of chronic illnesses. Despite the accessibility of this information, many individuals do not actively engage in preventive practices. This is often due to a lack of motivation, interest, or understanding of the long-term benefits.
To address these challenges, my master’s thesis focuses on developing an integrated medical platform designed for both patients and doctors. This platform aims to foster communication and decision-making by providing easy access to patients’ comprehensive health histories. Using this data, the system could recommend personalized risk assessments and recommend targeted preventive measures tailored to each individual.
A key feature of this platform would be the incorporation of gamification to boost user engagement. For example, patients could access interactive educational content based on their specific health risks, complete modules, and earn rewards such as discounts on vaccines or vouchers for supplements. These incentives would not only make preventive care more appealing but also encourage consistent participation.
By combining gamified elements with essential healthcare practices, this platform has the potential to address critical gaps in preventive medicine. It offers a more engaging, accessible, and personalized approach to health education, motivating individuals to take charge of their well-being. Ultimately, this innovative concept could lead to improved health outcomes and a significant reduction in preventable illnesses and deaths on a global scale.
Research Questions
My central research question is:
- What gamification strategies can be used to increase the popularity of preventive healthcare?
The sub-questions are:
- How can gamified preventive healthcare platforms ensure user data security and privacy?
- Which types of gamification are most effective for promoting preventive healthcare behaviors?
- What are the potential benefits and challenges of creating a unified gamified system for healthcare providers and patients?
Next Steps in the Blog Series
In the upcoming blog posts, I’ll take a comprehensive look at the platform concept by examining multiple perspectives. In the first posts, I’ll explore the gamification aspect and its potential for engaging users, and then I’ll also evaluate the platform from the healthcare system’s standpoint. This includes assessing scalability—how well the platform can accommodate diverse users and systems—and privacy concerns, particularly regarding the handling of sensitive medical data.
Ultimately, my goal is to determine whether this is a viable idea or if I should explore alternative directions.
Links to articles:
The world Health Organization research on death rates:
The World Heart Federation reports that up to 80% of premature heart attacks and strokes can be prevented
