Top 10 Patient Experience Games & Apps

Patient experience games do more than entertain and distract the hospital population. Levelling up the standard hospital entertainment offering of TV, radio and films, patient experience games have long-lasting impacts beyond stifling boredom. Patient experience games can improve mental agility, helping us be more present in day-to-day activities and increase focus, concentration and memory.

At their most impactful, patient experience games can slow age-related illnesses, such as dementia. Read more about that phenomenon here.

We include patient experience games and apps as part of our standard media offering, seeing them as important assets that should be accessible to all patients. Here are the top games, puzzles and quizzes our customers enjoy, all offering real cognitive benefits.

1. Word Sleuth

According to the play statistics of King’s College Hospital, Word Sleuth is our second-most played game. Not too dissimilar to New York Times’ infamous, Wordle, Word Sleuth is a word-based game that calls for players to find hidden words on the horizontal, diagonal or vertical. The game is directional, asking us to refine our reading habits while expanding our vocabulary.

2. Triple Play Mini Puzzles

You get more bang for your buck with Triple Play Mini Puzzles — though not literally, as all of our patient experience games and apps are free for patient use. As its name suggests, you get to play a trio of puzzles, including the well-loved crossword puzzle and a slightly more complex dynamic double cross. 

If you can keep up with the constant problems put your way, this triple puzzle is a great way to pass the time and increase patient engagement.

Try the trio for yourself — Access a triple play mini puzzle demo here.

3. Challenger

The challenger promises to be a challenge. Players have to organise numbers, so all the rows align to add up to the same equation. What’s more, the solution must be found within the time limit for it to count. 

If you can keep cool under pressure, the challenger is for you. It can add excitement to long waits and periods on your own, making it the perfect company for long stays.

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4. Classic Sudoku 

By far, classic Sudoku is our most-played game, loved for its simple concept and stimulating play. As we all know, Sudoku is a logic game which has inspired a worldwide craze thanks to its addictive feel and sense of accomplishment.

The best thing about it? There’s no such thing as too much Sudoku. Research states it helps clear our mind, exercise the brain and improve problem-solving skills — all valuable in patient experience.

See the magic for yourself — Sample a classic sudoku game.

5. Super Quiz

Super Quiz is an enjoyable Q&A game that replicates the familiar pub quiz format. It can be played alone or as a group during visitation hours. Either way, Super Quiz keeps us abreast of worldwide news and challenges us to refresh and recall our general knowledge. 

Super Quiz is the perfect play if you’re looking for variety in an online game and a fast-paced format.

Get the Patient Experience Guide

In charge of improving patient experience? Our advice encompasses much more than the ideal entertainment patients should have access to. Read our four-year recommendations to deliver exceptional patient experience — because ‘acceptable patient experience’ just won’t do. 

6. Hocus-Focus

A play on the quintessential puzzle spot-the-difference, Hocus-Focus presents players with two strikingly similar images and asks them to find the differences. It takes a keen eye and concentration to spot the subtle signs, but this can be a great game for pick-up, put-down gaming where the puzzle is solved in several sittings. 

Simple but entertaining, this game is a real crowd-pleaser, entertaining any user age and perfect for a healthcare environment.

7. Battleships

Our third-most popular game is Battleships, a traditional board game well-known for its strategic gameplay and competitive nature. Modelled for single players, patients can enjoy the benefits of this popular pastime without the need for an opponent.

This game hones a player’s logic and reasoning skills, sharpening the mind and asking them to think several steps ahead. 

Games, TV and All Forms of Entertainment Should Be Free As Standard

That’s our belief. Watch our latest webinar, outlining our acquisition of patient bedside terminal provider, Hospedia and our hopes for a future where patient entertainment is free.

8. Mini Sudoku

Sudoku is so well-loved that it features twice on this list. This time, as mini Sudoku — a more digestible version of the classic numbers game. In this version, a 6x6 puzzle is less confronting for players, making the game quicker and far less demanding. 

Its bite-sized formula makes it great for young players and those who want to creep into gameplay without feeling daunted.

<See mini Sudoku in action — Sample this adapted classic>

9. Crossword & Cryptoquip

More than a traditional crossword puzzle, players of this game discover words to uncover a pun that changes daily. This is the game keeps on giving, allowing its fans to find new secrets each morning as it resets. 

Along with Sudoku and Battleships, this is a classic game that many patients feel comfortable playing and picking up at their bedside. But it also adds a new flavour to this firm favourite.

10. Calcudoku 

Are you a fan of numbers, not words? Calcudoku has you covered. This maths-focused puzzle involves addition, subtraction, division and multiplication to cover all bases and gets the cogs turning.

It’s the last patient experience game on our list, but it’s by no means the least. Indeed, every puzzle we’ve highlighted is worth having a go at to enrich the patient experience, offering you something extra than the latest binge-worthy show or all-the-rage radio station.

Explore Our Engaging Games Offering That Promises to Enrich the Patient Experience, Packed With Cognitive Benefit

Explore our games offering as part of our SPARK Media package, carefully handpicked to offer stimulating and mind-bending entertainment for all ages. Words and number puzzles galore, these patient experience games and apps appeal to everyone, whether you’re a visual or another type of learner. 

Discover a library of games that UK patients are already benefiting from and consider whether your hospital population should follow suit.