gaming technology specialist uses 3D printer

Source Domain: www.musc.edu

At a presentation titled “Patient Focused Creations in Gaming and Technology,” which took place at the end of Innovation Awareness Month on April 30, Mathews spoke about the importance of designing patient-focused creations in gaming and technology and the collaboration between his role at SJCH and the Dream Studio.

He explained that the purpose of his role is threefold: emotional support, physical support and accessibility and medical education.

Emotional support

When it comes to emotional support, Mathews said his role as gaming technology specialist is about improving a child’s quality of life while in the hospital. “We want the kids to feel like kids and not isolated in hospital rooms,” he said. “I listen to their interests and needs and basically normalize their childhood experience while they are in the hospital.”

Creating gaming paraphernalia, designing the child’s room to fit his or her individual tastes and assisting with celebrations are a few of the ways Mathews helps with emotional support.

With the assistance of the laser cutter for acrylic items in the Dream Studio, Mathews once successfully decorated a cancer patient’s room with memorabilia from his favorite team, the Kansas City Chiefs. Another patient was big into a game called the Ghost of Yōtei, so Mathews designed a 3D mask for him, along with some mini-figures on the resin printer.

Physical support and accessibility

Often done in collaboration with occupational and physical therapists, when Mathews creates aids for physical support and accessibility, it helps to normalize play for the children. The 3D printers can make prosthetics, accessories and gaming grips.

Accessible adaptations are often more than just physically beneficial; they also provide vital mental health support for the children.

Mathews works with medical staff and the Dream Studio to create items like gaming handles for patients with either smaller hands or weakened grips, or LEGO tools that…

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