The Application of Anthropomorphic Gamification within Transitional Healthcare: A conceptual framework

Abstract

This paper proposes a framework for the application of anthropomorphic interfaces in gamification for transitional healthcare. The framework bridges the theories around anthropomorphic research, gamification research, transitional health research, with the views of 15 field experts and a survey of 33 users. Patients in transitional healthcare process requires additional tools to assist them in following the transitional process, particularly in learning and managing their health condition. A different design of anthropomorphic interface applied within gamification could help to motivate the patients in going through their transition process, and thus may result in a change of behaviour towards self-manage. The framework consists of four factors; elements of an anthropomorphic interface, game elements for gamification, motivational elements, and requirements for transitional healthcare. Through triangulation of the literature, experts and users, these four factors were considered to be important and relevant elements of the framework. This validated the framework for anthropomorphic interfaces in gamification for transitional healthcare applications.