In the future we will all be “gamers,” according to those who predict the eventual dominance of cloud computing – Internet-based computing where shared resources, software and information are provided to electronic devices on-demand, like electricity – in our lives. Gaming is the “killer app” of cloud computing, and gamers are salivating over delivering all sorts of nifty 3-D graphic environments to mobile devices to entertain, educate, motivate and even change human behavior.

What could gaming have to do with health care? Take a look at this video featuring a young game designer talking about the future of gaming. At nineteen minutes in he begins to talk about the application of games and earning “points” to get people to lose weight, exercise, take personalized meds and more. An entire generation of games to educate and coach patients in real time could well be coming and significantly change the way we both conceive of and deliver health care.

In the future we may all play these games and score points, which we can then cash in both on real products and services and maybe even to lower our health care premiums. Say goodbye to advice from your “stand alone” doctor and hello to Diabetes Warcraft.