By Jack Uldrich
Cross-posted from www.jumpthecurve.net
I frequently speak to health care providers and hospitals
associations on the future of health care. More often than not my
message about how emerging technologies in the fields of
biotechnology, nanotechnology, genomics, stem cell research and
robotics will transform the field is greeted with an open mind.
However, when I discuss how Internet-based technologies and
virtual reality sites such as Second Life can help them train
employees as well as diagnose patients, my message is often greeted
with skepticism. It is an understandable reaction (after all, the
technology is fairly new), but I’d argue that it is wrong and that
providers who are refusing – or are reluctant – to embrace the
technology are missing a grand opportunity to both save money and
better assist their patients.
A wonderful case in point is this recent article from The
Guardian. It is entitled “Teenagers
to take embarassing ailments to Second Life doctors” and it
discusses how a health care facility in Spain recently launched a
virtual portal in Second Life aimed at diagnosing young people who
are too embarassed to speak to a doctor about sexually transmitted
diseases. (cont.)
To my mind, it is a great example of “jumping the curve” and
embracing the future. Yet there is no reason why the technology
should only be aimed at teenagers. As a middle-aged man myself, I
know a great many of my peers would benefit from seeing a doctor
more often but, for a variety of reasons, refuse to do so. The same
is true for elderly people or patients located in remote rural
areas. In each instance, virtual reality sites could be created
that cater to the unique needs of these different demographics and
entice them to receive medical information.
It is not my contention that virtual reality sites are a
complete fix. I know many patients will continue to refuse to use
the technology. Still, if smartly deployed and targeted at key
constituencies, such sites can become a cost-effective weapon in
delivering preventative health care information.
Interested in other health care-related posts? Check out
these recent articles:
The Future of
Health Care: Part 3 (Robotics)
The Robot Will See You
Now
Hospitals Robotic Future:
Part 2
Hospitals Robotic Future:
Part 1
Hospitals Get a Lift
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