Child’s Play Charity pulls back the curtain on its first-ever Pediatric Gaming Technology Symposium utilizing the power of play to show how gaming technology helps hospitalized children.
The Child’s Play Charity event will host a gathering of like-minded groups and individuals to discuss practices and what’s next in the high-growth fields of gaming technology within the realm of pediatric healthcare.
The Pediatric Gaming Technology Symposium starts off with a very notable figure in gaming. The keynote speaker and designer, Jane McGonigal, will launch the event in an inspirational session that denotes the therapeutic aspirations of their cause. The symposium’s ultimate goal is to get more hospitals and groups to become a part of the Child’s Play Charity list of volunteers in an effort to raise awareness around the positive effects of gaming in pediatric medicine. Many notable gaming companies sponsor the charity, including Xbox, Bungie, and HumbleBumble.
While covering many topics such as building programs from the ground up and the challenges they may face, the Pediatric Gaming Technology Symposium isn’t all business. Along with meaningful discussions, there will be raffles, giveaways, and, most importantly, fun games and activities for participants. A Gaming Tech starter kit will be provided for each participant organization and ensures new connections will be made to help get more of these programs off the ground.
Executive Director of Child’s Play, Travis Eriksen says “This symposium will shine light on the impactful
work of our network hospitals and their child life programs. The work PGTS are doing is changing the game for patients and families,” in regard to the inaugural event. As the COVID-19 pandemic blasted the nation with lockdown instructions, Pediatric Gaming Technology Specialists were there to help weather the storm, showing how important this technological advance in pediatrics can be.
Medical director of Child Life, Children’s Colorado Hospital Dr. Joseph A. Albietz III, MD said “As the number of Pediatric Gaming Techs grow I think we are seeing the emergence of a new profession in pediatric healthcare. The PGTS is our next step in learning from each other, building our community, and enabling as many children as possible to benefit from gaming technologies,” iterating how important gaming technology has become in this field.
The Pediatric Gaming Technology Symposium takes place on September 22 to September 23 this year, and organizations can register and participate here.
