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.<
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.<
4. LaGuardia, Cheryl. Going to the Doctor in Second Life? May 12, 2008. Retrieved September 3rd '2009.<
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>
No comments:
Post a Comment