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?