Apps and games: health management tools for the future?

A group of ex-gaming industry executives say they can use their design chops to solve a major health challenge – making patients take their medication.

Jason Oberfest began thinking about applying game design tricks to complex medical problems in 2011. He built the app to engage users in their health, but he maintained some of the most viral aspects of mobile games, such as gifts and a feature to see how friends are faring in their treatment. The app also includes a drug database and sends refill alerts to patients.