Fifteenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

This study explores the potential of a gamified and participatory approach in the collective ideation process for improving the Portuguese National Health Service. Through a card-based simulation game, designed around real-life challenges faced by the healthcare system, experts from different fields were invited to co-create solutions to complex and multidimensional challenges. The main objective was to evaluate how the playful dynamic contributed to participant engagement and the fluidity of the discussion (R.Q.1), as well as to analyze whether the participatory process enabled the identification of innovative solutions with practical potential within the Portuguese National Health Service (R.Q.2). The workshop was designed based on qualitative and quantitative methodologies, combining content analysis of the proposed solutions, and statistical analysis of their incidence by thematic cluster and types of care (R.Q.3). The emerging discussion was also used to identify limitations of the collaborative process (R.Q.4). The results indicate that gamification had a positive impact on the level of participation and creativity, fostering an open and stimulating environment to discuss healthcare solutions. Relevant and diverse solutions were generated, with a special focus on organizational behaviors and digital technologies applied to primary and hospital care. Several proposals integrated information technologies to support communication, self-care, and health education strategies designed to vulnerable or low-literacy populations. The implications of this work suggest that playful and participatory approaches can play a valuable role in co-creation processes for health policies and services, fostering innovation aligned with real systemic challenges.