A new medical-focused adaption of the online word game Wordle aims to deliver a dose of ‘levity’ for health professionals throughout a challenging time for the profession, according to one of the game’s co-creators.

Titled ‘Meddle’ and created by the University of South Australia (UniSA) Associate Professor Chris Alderman and his son Jonathon, the game follows the same steps as its forebear – meaning the player gets seven attempts at guessing a six-letter word.

However, unlike its counterpart, Meddle focuses entirely on medical terms and features no abbreviations or words linked to branding.

Associate Professor Alderman, based on UniSA’s Clinical and Health Sciences department, said the game was designed to provide some light-heartedness as the sector continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 1,000 participants accessing the game across 10 countries globally, so far.

“We created Meddle as a specialised medical word game for people working within the health sector, to help add a bit of fun to their day and perhaps boost their mental wellbeing,” Associate Professor Alderman explained.

“Amid a pandemic, everyone is struggling. Meddle is simply an entertaining distraction for those in the health and medical industry.”

While the game is its own source of fun, participants are also encouraged to support a concurrent GoFundMe campaign supporting UNICEF’s aims to increase COVID-19 vaccination in developing countries, the Associate Professor’s son added.

“Infections are surging in vulnerable communities, and as we enter the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are yet to gain access to a single dose of a vaccine,” Jonathon Alderman said.

“We’ve chosen to support UNICEF to get vaccinations to communities in need.”

Meddle can be accessed here, while Meddle’s GoFundMe campaign is accessible here.