Low HP: Evaluating the Accuracy of Medicine in Video Games

This study investigates the portrayal of medical treatments in video games, an influential medium. While previous research has focused on the effects of video games on aggression and empathy, the specific impact of medical depictions within this context remains underexplored. Using cultivation theory, this analysis examines the accuracy of medical treatments as depicted in video games and their potential implications for players’ understanding of healthcare. A total of 416 medical scenarios across 55 popular video games were analyzed using a Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan (SOAP)-format framework to assess treatment and recovery accuracy. Findings indicate that the average treatment accuracy score was 2.67, suggesting a prevalence of inaccuracies in medical portrayals. Notably, 96 treatments were deemed completely fictional, complicating evaluations of realism. Recovery accuracy was similarly low, averaging 1.16, with 144 fictional recoveries complicating realistic assessments. A moderate positive correlation was found between treatment and recovery accuracy, indicating that games prioritizing realistic treatments may also more accurately depict recovery outcomes. Furthermore, a binary logistic regression ( BLR ) identified that games with descriptors for strong sexual content were significantly more likely to feature entirely fictional medicine, while genres like “Simulator” and “ Role-playing ( RPG )” were less likely to do so. Analysis revealed significant differences in treatment accuracy based on game genre and thematic elements, with action-oriented genres exhibiting lower accuracy compared to narrative-driven games. Limitations include the small sample size and potential subjectivity in assessing medical accuracy, underscoring the need for more comprehensive analyses in future research. This study highlights the complexity of medical portrayals in video games and demonstrates opportunities for developers to enhance the realism of medical scenarios. Given the potential for video games to influence players’ understanding of medical treatment, further research is warranted to explore their implications for public health education and player perceptions of healthcare.