title: Virtual worlds to support patient group communication? A questionnaire study investigating potential for virtual world focus group use by respiratory patients.
abstract: Recent advances in communication technologies enable potential provision of remote education for patients using computer-generated environments known as virtual worlds. Previous research has revealed highly variable levels of patient receptiveness to using information technologies for healthcare-related purposes. This preliminary study involved implementing a questionnaire investigating attitudes and access to computer technologies of respiratory outpatients, in order to assess potential for use of virtual worlds to facilitate health-related education for this sample. Ninety-four patients with a chronic respiratory condition completed surveys, which were distributed at a Chest Clinic. In accordance with our prediction, younger participants were more likely to be able to use, and have access to a computer and some patients were keen to explore use virtual worlds for healthcare-related purposes: Of those with access to computer facilities, 14.50% expressed a willingness to attend a virtual world focus group. Results indicate future virtual world health education facilities should be designed to cater for younger patients, because this group are most likely to accept and use such facilities. Within the study sample, this is likely to comprise of people diagnosed with asthma. Future work could investigate the potential of creating a virtual world asthma education facility.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, UK ; CLAHRC for North West London, UK ; Division of Medical Sciences and Graduate Entry Medicine, University of Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, UK.
authors.forename: Dave
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, UK.
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vlaev
authors.affiliation: CLAHRC for North West London, UK ; Imperial NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elkin
keywords: Health education; Internet; Questionnaire; Virtual World; Virtual learning environment