Video games can often get a bad reputation, but one hospital in the United Kingdom is out to show that not only can games be fun, they can reduce patient stress and raise funds for the hospital, as well.
After all, playing a bit of Mario Kart, Steven Mair, 26, said, can remind hospitalized children that they can still do things that are fun and aren’t too different from when they were back at home.
So, Mair’s new job as the ‘gamer-in-residence’ at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, Scotland, is the first of its kind to have a video game job in the hospital, but they say they have already seen the changes in patients.
Steven Mair cheers on a patient while playing video games. Mario Kart and Minecraft are popular choices for many patients. Photo courtesy of Glasgow Children’s Hospital
The Royal Hospital for Children was able to fund the new role by the Scottish games industry, along with community organizations and gaming fundraisers, as well. Recent studies, said Kirsten Watson, CEO of the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, have shown a link between playing video games and feeling less anxiety while in the hospital. There have even been suggestions, she said that the games could help reduce pain.
In reality, I think often what kids want is some quality time and gaming with new friends,” Watson said.
Mair is already learning what games the kids love the most, with Mario Kart and Minecraft, topping the list. “Lots of the children who sometimes have to spend weeks in hospital have said they were missing playing with their pals, so having a player to come and sit with them gives them the social interaction they are missing,” Mair said.
But it’s not just Mair who games with patients. Volunteers often shop up, including top soccer player Matt O’Reilly. That sort of friendship for the children, makes every difference in the world. Seven-year-old Jace has changed immensely since he began gaming with Steven, his mom Catherine said.
Gaming has been seen as a good way to help young patients during their hospital stay. Photo courtesy of Glasgow Children’s Hospital
“When the gamer-in-residence came round to play Mario on the Nintendo, he immediately lit up and smiled. It was an instant energy boost for him mentally and physically,” she said. Mair said that since Day 1, he has noticed how the games had made a difference.
He saw that continuous playing of Mario Kart helped improved a patient’s hand mobility. Also, Mair said, it can help distract during often painful medical procedures. “One of my first sessions here at the hospital was a patient who was on a plasma exchange and that can be quite intrusive,” he said.
When I went in to play with that patient, it kept him distracted throughout the whole procedure.”
Josephine, the mum of eight-year-old Laura Jayne, said her daughter had been in hospital for six months. “It’s been really good (for Laura) just to pass the time. Sometimes it helps her to interact with the gamers. She really gets a lot out of it.”
“Thank you to everyone across the gaming community for supporting this unique initiative to help young patients from across the country play games in hospital,” Watson said. “Not only will your support fund more consoles and games for the children’s hospital, but it now also means Scotland’s young patients will always have a Player Two.”
Sources: BBC | Herald Scotland
