Second Life, Virtual Worlds, etcetera:
implications for PHRs
W. Scott Erdley, DNS, RN
Definitions
"Virtual" Worlds:• Synthetic versus virtual • Simulated 'place', usually via computer,
incorporating user-perceived stimuli (audio, visual, haptic, and so forth)
• May or may not incorporate real-world rules (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_worlds, last accessed June 12.2009)
Definitions
Second Life®:o 3-D virtual world of residents opened to public in
2003o Residents:
Retain intellectual property rights of ‘digital’ creations
Able to buy, sell and trade with other Residents.
'Land' available for purchase
o URL: http://secondlife.com/
Definitions
• PHR (personal health record) o "A personal health record (PHR) is typically a
health record that is initiated and maintained by an individual."
o See Peter Murray's presentation for additional information and insights
SL – examples
• Previously discussed (SINI’08)o Mental health arena (article)
http://www.nature.com/embor/journal/v9/n6/full/embor200886.html
o Medical training Interactive Trauma Trainer AIDS-related Kaposi Sarcoma Experience http://www.nature.com/embor/journal/v9/n6/full/
embor200886.html Heart sounds (blog by Bertalan Mesko)
http://scienceroll.com/2007/06/17/top-10-virtual-medical-sites-in-second-life/
SL - examples
• vHealth Island (IBM)o http://healthnex.typepad.com/web_log/2008/02/ibm-opens-
new-3.html • CDC Island
o http://slurl.com/secondlife/CDC+Island/
SL - examples
SLHealthy / SecondLife Healthy • Compiles self-reported information related to consumer
health locations and groups in SecondLife • Array of example sites in SL ranging from agorophobia toa
grief center to TBI survivors group • http://slhealthy.wetpaint.com/
Virtual worlds / SecondLife
Points of interest: • Health / medicine increasingly is a valuable service of
SecondLife • Positive impact on those who utilize SecondLife as a
component of their wellness • Increased net access (aka 'broadband') equals increase in
users of virtual worlds - good, bad, indifferent? • Beneficial to society?
PHR & Virtual Worlds
Questions to consider:• What is the intersection, or interaction, of these concepts?
• Why do you believe these will intersect? Is this beneficial or
harmful (or without impact) concerning PHR adoption and use?
• Why should PHR be available in a virtual environment?
Closing comments
Points to ponder:
• Net access here to stay? • Web 2.0 social applications - something for everyone?
• Progress in healthcare connected with technological
advancement and or growth? Good, bad, indifferent? • Ride the wave or wait for impact?