Health and digital gaming: the benefits of a community of practice.
Psychologists have a tendency to focus on the negative side of life. Our discipline has become preoccupied with illness rather than health. Where the media are concerned we explore the consequences of unhealthy messages for the population in general or young people in particular. This commentary breaks with tradition by outlining ways in which digital games can enhance health. Positive health consequences of gaming are explored in relation to surgical training and therapeutic interventions, physical exercise, health education and community participation.
Schott
Gareth
G
Department of Screen & Media Studies, University of Waikato, New Zealand. g.schott@waikato.ac.nz
Hodgetts
Darrin
D
D001524:Behavioral Medicine; D002648:Child; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012919:Social Behavior; D018910:Video Games / Q000523:psychology*