A university hospital in Paraná faced severe coordination challenges between the surgery unit, materials unit, and surgery center. Political conflicts among these departments disrupted patient care while the hospital underwent an extensive organizational overhaul to address corruption and mismanagement. I was invited to conduct a pilot study to assess whether my design games could foster collaboration and defuse tensions between the conflicting teams.
The Expansive Hospital game was called to surface and address the contradictions within the hospital’s administrative workflow. The challenge was balancing the need for structured planning with the flexibility required for emergencies. Through playful game sessions, participants were encouraged to explore the perspectives of other professionals, providing a cathartic outlet for frustrations. The structured yet playful nature of the games created a safe environment for participants to rehearse conflicts and disagreements without personal or professional repercussions.
The sessions revealed persistent communication barriers and misaligned priorities across teams. Games were instrumental in releasing the built-up tension by allowing participants to openly express their frustrations and experiment with new solutions without fear of judgment. In each session, participants to voice their concerns in a structured, low-risk setting, fostering empathy and mutual understanding among team members.
Follow-up workshops were designed with custom games to target specific conflicts uncovered during the initial game debriefing.
The games played a pivotal role in transforming workplace dynamics. They enabled professionals to release tension and see conflicts as solvable rather than entrenched. As a result, trust among the teams improved, and they co-created tools and processes to address recurring issues. For instance, they developed a control instrument to track missing surgical materials, which fostered collaboration between the surgery and materials units. Participants emphasized the need for “mutable planning” to flexibly adapt to changing circumstances, reflecting the importance of balancing foresight with day-to-day realities.
The intervention was a turning point in the hospital’s organizational change process, previously stalled by interdepartmental disputes. Participants reported improved inter-team relations, a clearer shared vision for the future, and renewed motivation to enhance daily practices. The cathartic effect of the games proved essential, as participants expressed their frustrations and learned to listen to others, paving the way for meaningful collaboration. The success of this initiative demonstrates how playful engagement can unlock profound change by releasing tensions, fostering empathy, and building practical solutions together
