# Medical Play Health devices receive a youthful overhaul to ease medical experiences. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Oct 10, 2014 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/medical-play ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.2/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Medical Play trend? **Medical Play:** Tests and medical check-ups can be quite uncomfortable, particularly for children, prompting a turn toward more playful alternatives. Combining medical devices with traditional children's toys, health brands are seeking to add an element of familiarity to traditional health practices, reflecting a growing emphasis on entertainment and enjoyment, even in areas of health and well-being. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Jul 25, 2012 to Oct 8, 2014 - Published: Oct 10, 2014 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Alpha, Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Medical Play trend ### Playful Medical Devices Combining medical devices with traditional children's toys to add an element of familiarity to traditional health practices. ### Anxiety-Reducing Medical Toys Creating hi-tech and versatile toys that connect to medical equipment and serve as anti-stress companions for young patients. ### Health-Monitoring Toys Designing toys equipped with electronics and sensors that track vital signs and provide long-term data on background health stats. ## What the Medical Play trend means for industry ### For Medical Devices Industry Medical devices are being given a more playful design, creating opportunities for innovation and growth in the industry. ### For Toy Industry There is a growing trend of involving toys in the healthcare experience, opening up opportunities to innovate in the toy industry. ### For Healthcare Industry The incorporation of play into healthcare experiences is changing the industry, leading to new opportunities to innovate in healthcare. ## Trend signals for Medical Play Trend score 4.2 out of 10, from popularity 68%, activity 49%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 68% - Activity: 49% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Medical Play trend 4 featured examples from Jul 25, 2012 to Oct 8, 2014. - [Kid-Friendly Glucose Readers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blood-buddy): The Blood Buddy Takes Some of the Pain Away from Pricking Fingers (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The development of medical devices, specifically glucose meters, tailored for children could disrupt the traditional healthcare industry. - [Diabetes-Teaching Teddies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/educational-teddy-bear): This Educational Teddy Bear Shows Kids How To Monitor Their Disease (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Developing educational tools like Jerry the Bear for patients with chronic illnesses like Type 1 diabetes. - [Amicable Medical Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chru-doud): The CHRU DOUD is an Informative and Comforting Friend to Child Patients (Category: Tech) Implication: The healthcare industry can explore the development of hi-tech medical toys and use them as tools to improve the patient experience, especially for children. - [Health-Monitoring Teddy Bears](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teddy-the-guardian): Teddy the Guardian by IDerma Tracks Children's Vital Signs (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop wearable devices and accessories targeted specifically for children, such as smartwatches or health-monitoring jewelry. ## Recent trend clusters - [Automated Upkeep](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/automated-upkeep) (Tech) - [Serial Snacking](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/serial-snacking) (Lifestyle) - [Autumn Teasers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autumn-teasers) (Business) - [Ambient Assistance](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ambient-assistance) (Tech) ## Trending in Life-Stages - [Mini Clog Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cars-x-crocs-blind-box) - [Thoughtfully Designed Lunchboxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glacier-lunchbox) - [Larger-Format Brainteaser Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kanoodle-party) - [Historical Character Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polly-pocket-x-american-girl) All articles: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages)