A Serious Narrative Game Combined with Data Visualization to Aid in the Development of Skills and Competencies in the Management of Infectious Diseases

Gabriel Moraes de Oliveira; Elisangela Gisele do Carmo; Raphael Maciel da Silva Caballero; Isabel Cristina Siqueira da Silva

doi:10.5753/jis.2026.7641

Authors

Gabriel Moraes de Oliveira Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4515-3217
Elisangela Gisele do Carmo São Paulo State University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9567-1883
Raphael Maciel da Silva Caballero Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9250-0410
Isabel Cristina Siqueira da Silva Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2286-3221

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5753/jis.2026.7641

Keywords:

Serious Narrative Game, Infectious Disease, Data Visualization, Usability, Health Management

Abstract

Background: The spread of infectious diseases causes saturation in public health services, putting pressure on hospital admissions and generating high costs resulting from prolonged and intensive treatments. In this context, health managers can combine concepts from serious games, narrative techniques, and data visualization to support decision-making when analyzing public health data for epidemiological surveillance. Purpose: A serious narrative game, combined with spatiotemporal data visualization and usability concepts, aimed to assist in the development of students' skills and competencies in infectious disease management. As a case study, we developed an urban setting focused on the spread of dengue fever. Methods: The game was developed using the User-Centered Design method, with the participation of a professor from a Health Management undergraduate course and his students. They contributed to aligning the narrative with real-world management practices in public health, as well as to evaluating the game's usability using the System Usability Scale. Results: The developed game prototype allows the application of interactive narratives to the training of skills and competencies in combating infectious diseases. By combining elements of narrative games with visualization and interaction with spatiotemporal data, the game simulates plausible scenarios and seeks to encourage the strategic management of resources and actions in public health. Conclusion: This study presented the design and development of a narrative game that, combined with spatiotemporal data visualization techniques, demonstrated potential to support the training of health management students in the management of infectious diseases, specifically dengue. A usability evaluation of the game revealed that participants approved of the concept. It should be noted, however, that this study does not present an assessment of the subjects' actual learning following the use of the proposed game.

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