How the Therapeutic Gaming and Technology Support program helps kids

More than just a game

Technology is part of everyday life. So why wouldn’t it be integrated into children’s experiences when being cared for in a hospital?

In homes and at schools, millions of kids use tablets, phones, laptops and desktop computers are used by kids for learning, to increase productivity and to communicate with family and friends. Millions of kids also use technology to relax and play.

Kids at HSC Children’s Hospital in Manitoba do so too.

The Therapeutic Gaming and Technology Support program has been part of Child Life at Children’s since 2023. Thanks to Jimmy Lui, a gaming technology support specialist, it’s grown and become more popular with kids needing care.

Jimmy’s role has two parts: first is keeping everything up to date, troubleshooting and performing maintenance on nearly 30 gaming and TV carts, and the second part is much more therapeutic and fun. Jimmy plays video games with patients, which helps normalize their hospital experience and provides entertaining distractions while they’re there.

“Many patients have to stay here for quite a while and this environment is very unfamiliar to them at first,” says Jimmy. “Having people, not just me, but also volunteers and Child Life staff play something they’re familiar with, like games they have at home, eases the stress and mental impact of their stay.”

Child Life specialist Sherry Treichel agrees.

“The Therapeutic Gaming and Technology Support program promotes a positive experience in the hospital using technology and gaming. It helps children cope through distraction, normalization, fun and enjoyment,” says Sherry.

“Children are using technology in their everyday lives and being able to provide them therapeutic gaming and technology in hospital is beneficial to their emotional and physical wellbeing.”

The technology used in hospital can be categorized into two types. The first is active play, which includes many different gaming consoles like the PlayStations, Xboxes and Nintendo Switches.

The second is more relaxed. Patients can watch DVDs from the library or stream content with their family on smart TVs. They can even watch the latest Disney films that are in theaters thanks to a program called Disney Debut. Plus, there’s a live show every day on Children’s Hospital Television Network (CHTV) at 1:00 p.m. and rebroadcast at 4:00 p.m.

“We try to stay updated with the latest games that are also appropriate for the various age groups here. We have Minecraft and Fortnite and other popular releases and, of course, the Nintendo games like Mario Kart and Mario Party,” says Jimmy.

Thanks to generous community supporters who donate new to gently used tablets and consoles, plus PlayStation and Xbox gift cards, Jimmy purchases games throughout the year to build a bigger games library.

There are even friendly competitions among the kids being cared for at HSC Children’s.

“We encourage patients playing with each other in the playroom in a relaxed environment. This helps socialization and helps them get to know one another,” says Jimmy.

While normalization is the key goal, video games can be used for physical rehabilitation also. Games can act as an incentive to move from laying down to sitting more upright, or assistive technology such as controllers with larger buttons or thumb sticks can support kids needing assistance to play.

Having a robust support service that helps patients during their stay in hospital, with video games and other technology, is the program’s ultimate goal.

“Not everyone might be interested in games and technology. Some just want to relax during their treatment,” says Jimmy. “But, if even one patient has a positive experience because of the gaming and technology services that we offer in the hospital, then I think I’ve succeeded.”

Child Life programs like this rely 100 per cent on donor funding. To give to current needs in Child Life, please donate at goodbear.ca