Using Virtual World Technology to Deliver Effective, Efficient and Inexpensive Health Improvement Programs Peter Mills. MD September 17, 2010
Using Virtual World Technology to
Deliver Effective, Efficient and
Inexpensive Health Improvement
Programs
Peter Mills. MD
September 17, 2010
Aim
• To give you a better understanding of the
relatively new area of virtual worlds and how
they have the potential to augment existing
approached to health promotion.
Background – Who Am I?
• UK based physician
• Co-founder of vielife (acquired by
CIGNA 2006)
• Founded HealthyWorlds 2009 to
explore use of virtual worlds in
healthcare
Context
• The business case for investing in workplace
or insurer funded health programs is proven.
• However, in today’s economic environment,
the challenge is to maintain momentum and
improve existing health promotion programs
while reducing costs.
Employer sponsored Health &
Well-being Programs Work
• Presence of health risk factors predict future healthcare costs.(Pronk et al. 1999: JAMA)
• Changes in health risk status associated with significant
changes in healthcare costs (Edington et al. 1997: JOEM)
• Return on Investment from medical costs alone 4.56 to 1 (Ozminkowski et al. 1999: AJHP)
• Fewer absence days in worksite health promotion
participants with ROI 2.3 to 1
(Schultz et al. 2002: JOEM)
• 10% increase in productivity and ROI of 6.2 to 1.
(Mills et al. 2007; AJHP)
Employer sponsored Health &
Well-being Programs
Paper On Site Telephone
Online
Employer sponsored Health &
Well-being Programs
Web 2.0
User generated content, social networking, gaming and
collaboration
Virtual Worlds
The SIMS – A Virtual World
• PC game virtual world launched 2000
• Limited in what could be done
• Originally no connection with other (single
player game)
Second Life – A Virtual World
• 3-dimensional virtual world
• Launched in 2003
• Created by Linden Research Inc (SF headquartered, venture capital backed)
• 20 million residents (900% growth in last 18 months)
• “In-world” currency: L$
• 18-44 years age range (35% in the 25-34 years group)
“By 2011 80% of internet users will have a virtual world avatar” Gartner Research 2008.
OpenSIM – A Virtual World
• Open Source 3D virtual world
• Many of the same features as Second Life
• Like many open source projects many
developers working for free with a
community of enthusiasts
• Gaining popularity over last 12 months
“By 2011 80% of internet users will have a virtual world avatar” Gartner Research 2008.
Already an active environment for
learning, selling and entertainment
How ‘HealthyWorlds’ Works
Step 1:Register, Create Avatar & Download Software
How ‘HealthyWorlds’ Works
Step 2:Attend “in-world”seminars & events
How ‘HealthyWorlds’ Works
Step 2:Attend “in-world”seminars & events
How ‘HealthyWorlds’ Works
Step 2:Attend “in-world”seminars & events
How ‘HealthyWorlds’ Works
Step 3:Engage in self directed learning modules
How ‘HealthyWorlds’ Works
Step 3:Engage in self directed learning modules
How ‘HealthyWorlds’ Works
Step 4:Informally meet with others like you in the communal areas
How ‘HealthyWorlds’ Works
Step 5:Separate secure branded areas for your employees.
Key Attributes
• Real time ‘Peer to Peer’ Communication & Social Networking
• ‘Always On’, no time dependence
• Confidential and secure
• Global access from desk/home/workplace
• Immersive and interactive environments
• Controlled and private ‘Members Only’ community
• Anonymous so well suited to dealing with ‘personal’issues
• Access to low cost, highly trained practitioners
Asynchronous Real time
EmailPaper
Virtual World
Web Blogs IM/Chat Phone Face-to-face
Isolated Shared
Virtual World
Web Phone Email Blogs IM/Chat Webcast Face-to-face
Virtual Worlds
Imperial College: International Virtual Association of Surgeons, Apr 2008
CIGNA/vielife Delivery of Nutrition seminars
Virtual Hospital - Simulated Patients
Sources: Cigna, vielife, Imperial College London, BBC
Visualization of Health Care provision, UK 2008
Schizophrenia Experience
Diabetes Education, Boston University Medical School
A number of applications of virtual
world technology in health care
Further Reading
Guardian Newspaper (August 2010)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/aug/22/discover-virtual-worlds-revolution
Occupational Health Magazine (February 2010)
http://bit.ly/9wPqE6