Virtual Reality as an Educational Tool

As a component of course work with healthcare informatics, our class has been introduced to Second Life™. Briefly, this site is actually a virtual world where you are free to explore, create, experiment and experience life as an “avatar” or character of your choosing. Opportunities are available to “play” and participate in seeming limitless possible scenarios. The advantages and appeal to this outlet are privacy with ability to project a desired persona without inhibitions (my character is Frederick Serendipity). I was finally able to grow the beard, I always wanted, and walk around in sun glasses everywhere. The ability to fly is also very cool!

My original presumption and prejudice was that virtual reality sites represent just an extension or alternative outlet for social networking. For the most part, my experience confirmed this as a channel for expression. Within the public sites, you really do not know who you might encounter and where the conversations might lead – even had a chance to brush up on my German with a couple engaged in a romantic conversation and plenty of folks “dress” in PG-13 clothing. Apparently shopping and social encounters are the popular draw.

Now how does this all pertain to healthcare and specifically to the doctor-patient relationships? We will have to leave Fluffy (direct veterinary applications) out of the discussion but interestingly if you wanted to “morph” into a dog or cat that is possible.

In exploring the several health related sites namely Palomar West Hospital, Second Health London and Davis Island, an appreciation for Second Life™ as a training and education tool were readily apparent.

The ability to interact in a private manner – (you enter as an alias) lends characters the opportunity to explore and/or discuss issues that they might not feel comfortable bring up in the real world. Internet already provides this ability to purse information that might not otherwise be addressed. But Second Life offers the media to be more interactive and perhaps even greater ability for openness. My concern is that this can be a double edge sword in the fact that a trust issue has to be at play. It is difficult to confided in a setting where a person is not who they appear to be. Again this was my experience in dealing in public areas.

Visiting Davis Island provided a situation that I was more comfortable. As this was a private location and I “knew” the group that I was meeting, it was easier to be open to exchange information and ideas. This is significant as a possible resource for training, support groups and counseling (there is a veterinary application). As part of the island is a “hallucination” simulation which takes the avatar through experience of schizophrenia – my first visit was going though the simulation alone and must say was a bit disturbing.

Palomar West site is a sponsored (Cisco) virtual state-of- the art futuristic hospital – which highlights exciting opportunities in systems to improve patient deliver and enhance the overall hospital experience. At this site, I went through a virtual surgery and hospitalization. Again this visit illustrated opportunity to provide information and see application in as patient education as a pre-surgical tour to help reduce anxiety.

Second Health London provides a tour of health related topics. As the avatar walks through the streets of London, on the way to Polyclinic, they encounter various health issues such as stress, smoking, diet, hygiene. Hyperlinks are available on each of the subjects. Unfortunately I visit this site at 3am London time so needless to say, I did not encounter other avatars. One point that was interested is how engaged I was within the site. There was an accident with injured/non responsive characters and I spent 5 minutes trying to figure out if there was any action that I could “perform” to assist. It felt uncomfortable having to walk away without helping.

Overall my I would have to say my experience is mixed but certainly can see the attraction and potential opportunities to educate within this media. The class will continue to spend additional time at Second Life™ and perhaps will gain great understanding and applications.