Therapeutic Gaming & Patient Technology
The Therapeutic Gaming and Patient Technology Department at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital is committed to enhancing the patient experience and supporting healing through creative use of gaming and a wide range of emerging technology platforms.
Benefits
Therapeutic gaming and virtual reality offer a number of benefits to patients, including:
- Encouraging fine motor movement, problem solving and critical thinking
- Facilitating cooperative game play to encourage socialization and normalization
- Reducing isolation from friends and family outside the hospital through online gaming
Our digital endeavors are constantly evolving with technology and patient feedback.
Child & Family Life
The Child & Family Life team at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital provides stress-reducing services such as medical play and expressive therapies to help children and families cope with hospitalization. This interdisciplinary team ensures emotional and developmental support is integrated into pediatric care.
Contact the Child & Family Life Team at 734-936-6519 or email [email protected] or Jean-Jacques Bouchard at [email protected].
Gaming for Everyone
Patients can bring their video game consoles from home to be connected to their hospital room TVs. Internet access is available to stay in touch with their family and friends through online gaming.
Our Patient Technology Specialists are available to provide bedside gaming experiences to assist in reaching therapeutic goals. Patients can request a visit through the GetWell Network on their TV or by asking their care team.
Volunteers play games with patients to reduce isolation and encourage socialization during their stay.
All in-patient units have iPads available upon request from their care team filled with games, activities, and entertainment.
Patient Technology Specialists can help patients design a 3D printed model to take home to commemorate their stay at C.S. Mott Hospital.
LEGO Educators from Build-Up Steam provide bedside experiences with customized Lego robotics kits to help keep patients’ minds busy during hospital stays, while teaching basic coding and STEAM educational skills.
We use virtual reality technology to help patients experience a world that may sometimes feel out of reach. Patients can experience scuba diving, explore rain forests, ride roller coasters and run down the tunnel onto the field at Michigan Stadium. We even have a 360-degree video where patients can explore the inside of an ambulance.
Augmented reality brings together the virtual world with the real world. Our team uses augmented reality to explore the hospital in new ways and capture Pokemon.
Global Media Spotlight on Therapeutic Gaming and VR in Hospitals
Our therapeutic gaming and patient technology programs have garnered the attention of media around the world.
Showcasing the Impact of Gaming & VR on Healing
Check out our videos demonstrating the healing power of gaming & VR:
Gaming for Good: The #STREAMFORMOTT Initiative
Video game enthusiasts and content creators across the country have worked together to raise over $120,000 since 2020 to support the Therapeutic Gaming Program at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. We thank them for their support and dedication in helping keep our program running.
