Internet Addiction

We heard about all kind of addictions but Internet addiction to be a new of its kind in the 21st century. Societies are still working to define the exact definition of this new type of addiction. The addiction is primarily used in a negative sense and in medical terminology, an addiction is a chronic disorder that has genetic, psychosocial, and environmental dimensions. Addiction is often accompanied by the presence of deviant behaviors. But Internet addiction is different than any other addictions as it doesn't cause car accidents, impair judgment or ability to make decisions but that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. The addiction is real and it exists and people started to recognize the real side effects. I am sorry to say that one of my friend is having marital issues due to this addiction. The biggest threat is, it steals people's valuable time, which jeopardizes their social relationships and responsibilities. So, what are the signs of Internet addiction?

* Spending unlimited hours online without any break
* Browsing the net without any objective
* Checking email repeatedly for no apparent reason
* Complains from family about the time spent on line
* Logging on while at work or school instead of working or studying.
* Hiding about the activities done online.

With faster broadband access, Internet allows a person to roam from one world to another world in no time making it immensely attractive. Internet is a place where a person can redefine himself with new thoughts, personalities or mood. People who have trouble communicating in real life can have intense discussion online, or can have too many online friends. In fact Internet offers so many capabilities that people don't need to leave their house anymore. If offers everything from chat, shopping, gaming, date, and even sex and it is very easy for any one to get addicted.

Internet addicts are also addicted to online gambling, cyber sex, stalking and bullying. Lately there are also criminal charges brought against couples due to the negligence to their kids because of Internet addiction and this kind of crime is spreading in a very faster pace.

A Stanford university study on 2513 adults found that 13.7 percent of those interviewed found it hard to stay away from the Internet for several days at a time, 12.4 percent stayed online longer than intended, 12.3 percent had seen a need to cut back on Internet use, 8.7 percent attempted to conceal non-essential Internet use from family, friends and employers, 8.2 percent used the Internet as a way to escape problems or relieve negative mood, 5.9 percent felt their relationships suffered as a result of excessive Internet use (http://med.stanford.edu/news_releases/2006/october/internet.html). There are also numerous online calculators available to identify if a person is Internet addicted. Psychiatrists are also offering treatment on this new 21st century addiction.

Uses of Second Life VW in doctor-patient relationships

Second Life virtual world takes doctor-patient relationship to a new level where patients have more control in the relationship. It offers unique experiences not only to the users who are seeking health information, health care training, group support, but also to the individual consultations.

Availability of health related information through Internet empowered today’s patient’s strength about their own condition. Given the anonymity offered in Second Life, it opens the mind of many patients to communicate their health related issues which they were never able to communicate in a face to face or in a static online communications set up. Real doctors will connect and offer their advice to their anonymous patients. Patients with mental or sexual dysfunctional problems have always had difficulty in explaining their problems to their caregiver in a face-to-face setting. Despite the enormous health risks, this is one of the growing reasons why a lot of people prefer to buy "Viagra" from Internet sites bypassing the advice from their doctor and pharmacists.

In an environment like Second Life, patient can feel safe and comfortable with a treatment session to a real doctor. It can also help the teenagers who are too shy to talk about their drug problems or sexually transmitted diseases. Second Life can be a useful tool to reach out to the teenagers and younger population in educating and advising about sexual issues, mental health, early pregnancy etc. In Second Life, a doctors practice can be set up similar to a real life environment where a patient makes an appointment, teleport to a doctors island on the scheduled date for health consultation. It gives interactivity and a feeling of "being there" to the patients though they may be at home at their desks. Second Life also gives the involvement for both doctors and patients by gestures, chat, audio, and speech by using microphone. Both doctors and patients can choose their appearance, attire, personality and mood through various options offered in Second Life. Second Life will also reduce the traditional driving time and wait time for the patients and can make the consultation a reward able experience.

Virtual Worlds have significant potential to improve patient communication and experience in the real world. It can be used to educate users about public health issues, train the caregivers and promote healthy living. It also allows individuals to seek out other individuals or group support for diverse health issues, and, finally, to facilitate research. Yet it is still not clear how the experiences from Second Life can be translated into real life and requires further research. Patients can have their avatar experience certain health risks due to the consumption of drugs, smoking habits, drinking alcohol or over eating and better understand the consequences. This type of experience will raise health awareness among the patients and thus solving long-term health risks and reduce costs.

Though Second Life offers various advantages over doctor-patients relationship, I think, more technological improvement is required to provide simulation of chronic diseases, mental health situations as well as for providing effective services.

References:

1. Yellowlees, Peter MD. Your Health in The Information Age. iUniverse,Inc.New York Bloomington. 2008.

2. Gonzalez, Vanessa G. Towards a Virtual Doctor-Patient Relationship:Understanding virtual patients.Volume 2, Number 2 3D Virtual Worlds for Health and Healthcare, August 2009.Retrieved September 1st '2009.<https://journals.tdl.org/jvwr/article/view/664/504>

3. Johnson, Constance M. Vorderstrasse, Allison. Shaw, Ryan. Virtual Worlds in Health Care Higher Education. Volume 2, Number 2 3D Virtual Worlds for Health and Healthcare, August 2009.Retrieved September 1st '2009.<https://journals.tdl.org/jvwr/article/view/699/498>

4. LaGuardia, Cheryl. Going to the Doctor in Second Life? May 12, 2008. Retrieved September 3rd '2009.<http://www.libraryjournal.com/blog/1100000310/post/1500026350.html>

5. Beard, Leslie. Wilson, Kumanan. Morra, Dante. Keelan, Jennifer. A Survey of Health-Related Activities on Second Life. < http://www.jmir.org/2009/2/e17>