3302 COMM eHealth & Telemedicine
Shawn McCombs UH School of Communication
http://soc.class.uh.edu/~smccombs
2006 UH School of Communication - Health Communication Lecture Series - All Rights Reserved
A Diversity of Applications
COMM 3302 eHealth & Telemedicine
Shawn McCombs UH School of Communication http://soc.class.uh.edu/~smccombs
Health and Medicine Online:
Topics
Key Terms Overview Transacting in an Online Doctor's Office Health Info Online: Learning from Others Computer-Mediated Health Applications Web-Based Health Applications
Public Services Online
Key Terms
ComputerMediated Communication Systems
ICQ (web app) Telehealth/Telem
edicine
Online PDF
Transaction Processing
Efficacy Informed Patient Mutual Aid
Groups
Database Static Web
Pages
Data-Driven
World Wide Web Accommodation IRC (web app)
(Dynamic) Web Pages
Authorware (app) HyperCard (app)
Major Topics: ComputerAssisted Communication and Learning Web-Based Communication and Learning
Overview
There is enormous potential for online delivery of health-related communication and services:
Advice Diagnostics Information/consultation Feedback
With Convergence, TV may soon play a larger role in Interactive Health Communication and Services
Overview
Early Transaction Services based largely on telephone communication systems Convergence and rapid expansion of computing technologies creates possibilities for health consumers Health-based Transactional Services online allow care seekers / givers to engage with medical and health professionals with relative surety While Digital Divide may prevent some from online resources, iDTV may offer alternatives
Overview, Continued...
Telehealth/Telemedicine: The use of electronic and communication technology to accomplish health care and communication over distance.
The Doctor will "Convergence" You Now :
Transacting in an online World
Online Health Delivery Methods Computer-Mediated Delivery Systems - At A Glance Elements of online Transaction Processing
Transactions & Multimedia Online
The Internet, WWW, and DATA
Transacting Online
Two Primary eHealth Delivery Methods:
Asynchronous
- downloading PDFs - email - Discussion Boards/Blogs/Wikis Asynchronous Online Transaction Processing Dynamic, on-the-fly, data-driven web delivery IM, IRC, ICQ
eHealth component based on earlier telephone-based transactional systems
*Significance = methods for eHealth communication online.
Transacting Online, Continued...
Computer Mediated Communication Systems:
Changing the face of health communication and care...
Internet WWW eMail
-
Online Transaction Processing closely resembles a telephone call in many ways...
e ...All of which opens up the realm of
possibilities w/ eHealth Communication!
Transacting Online, Continued...
Elements of Online Transaction Processing:
1. Channel Must have pathway for 2-way communication to exist - * The Internet & WWW make transaction processing look easy
2. Message - Must initiate a request for some kind of communication based on needs 3. Sender / Requester / Client - Must have a purpose or NEED for answers or help 4. Intermediary Must translate between two components whom otherwise could not communicate Must have the answers sender and intermediary seek
5. Receiver / Server
Transacting Online, Continued...
Examples of Online Transaction Processing:
1. Channel INTERNET Must have pathway for 2-way communication to exist - * The Internet & WWW make transaction processing look easy
2. Message LOOKING FOR HELP WITH ... X - Must initiate a request for some kind of communication based on needs 3. Sender / Requester / Client USER (Browser) - Must have a purpose or NEED for answers or help 4. Intermediary PHP, JAVASCRIPT, ASP (Program) Must translate between two components whom otherwise could not communicate Must have the answers sender and intermediary seek
5. Receiver / Server SQL, MySQL, ORACLE (database)
Transacting Online, Continued...
Transactions & Multimedia
Add Multimedia into the mix, and you have a visuallystimulating environment that can aid in the health communication process.
Transaction Processing
Add Online Transaction Processing as a base, the addition of multimedia and real-time, synchronous communication (video, audio, or just text) can closely simulate the real experience -- at least as close to the real thing as possible
Transacting Online, Continued...
The Internet, WWW, and Data:
Internet holds communication infrastructure potential WWW holds application-rich transaction processing potential Vast Storage Capabilities allow for integration of information already online with virtually unlimited update capacity Medium serves as a tremendous intermediary / facilitator between care givers and care seekers
I'm no Copycat: Health Info
Online: Learning From Others
Online Access - Old School The Web Today Versus Legacy Health Communication Delivery Methods
At the Outset...
NHS example is Learning from mistakes to avoid potential pitfalls that accompany any new system:
Key Points
Two patients died as a result of failures in NHS 24 treatment advice Sheriff James Tierney critical of senior management in charge of NHS 24 NHS 24 insist procedures are effective, despite the ruling Read More: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1058012006
Health Information Online: Learning From Others
"Online" access technically not new
1980's and the Telephone Was very difficult for lay people
A bit more sophisticated, catered to medical professionals and providers Linked doctors with healthcare leadership, government services, researchers
Health Information Online: Learning From Others, Continued...
The Web is where it's at: But What About Earlier Forms?
Other than Internet and WWW, other forms of health communication have shown to be very successful in the past:
Written Instructions (from the Doc) Pre-Printed Leaflets Telephone Monitoring, Servicing, Followups (Nursing Staff / Doctors) Computer Mediated Applications (legacy)
...but these are expensive to administer and can promote higher healthcare costs
Answer: World Wide Web?
Health Information Online: Learning From Others, Continued...
Presumption: The act of providing people with health information leads to better health outcomes
Smoking, Drinking, Drugs, Alcohol Theory of Excesses, Abstinence, Reality
To what degree to social norms and pressures play into these issues? How about demographics? What does this say for health communication in general, let alone online How might online community building make a difference?
Inside the Box: Computer As-sisted /
Mediated Health Applications
Computer-Based Health (PreInternet) Apps Interactivity and the User Effectiveness of Computer-Based Health Communication The Need for User-Friendly Apps
Computer Mediated Health Applications
Computer-Assisted Learning is not new:
Primary means of multimedia-based learning Before that, were heavily text-based, without the aesthetics we take for granted today
Early ICT-based applications ran on stand-alone machines, or within limited, dedicated intranets
CD ROMs and localized resource sharing Introduced primitive interactivity to the mix
linear, sequential, though relatively effective
Computer Mediated Health Applications, Continued...
Interactivity revisited
What does it mean to be interactive?
-
Reciprocity
Elements of Interactive Computing
1. User Prompts and Unique Identification 2. Variable Outcomes Based on User Inputs 3. Dynamically-Driven Experience
-
based on Conditions, Loops, Sequentials
Computer Mediated Health Applications, Continued...
Early Computer Mediated Applications Built on Legacy Technologies:
HyperCard Authorware Director Shockwave ActiveX
...And a host of other "programming" apps that used GUI to assemble non-linear, scripted
Computer Mediated Health Applications, Continued...
Fast Forward 20+ Years: Now the Web is considered as good as - if not better - Offers greater potential with same dynamic,
interactive experiences... With one MAJOR advantage:
Connectivity and Integration
e linked with people; linked to resources
Dynamically-driven Web experiences allow for individualized feedback
Preferred over isolation of legacy systems Web introduces M:N versus 1:1
Computer Mediated Health Applications, Continued...
Integrated Computer Applications can create an autonomous virtual environment
With multiple Outcomes and Options Can Provide "Roadmap" to care upon completion of the tutorial/ application
Usually offers the ability to personalize the experience
Increased likelihood of behavioral and attitudinal changes
Interactivity creates "symbolic" connection with user
Participant takes ownership of session and outcomes
Computer Mediated Health Applications, Continued...
Resource Sharing: Using the Provider's Time Wisely
A visit to an oncologist today can almost certainly involve ICTs for communicating treatment options Saves the provider from repeating the same message over and over
Can lose that "human-touch" felling, but ICTs built correctly and help by including "feel good" elements
ICTs can help in treatment planning, advice, and option selections
Fact-based, User-Friendly Tools a Must!
Computer Mediated Health Applications, Continued...
ICTs and Children / Adolescents...
...and Visual Learners
Video Game theme-based ICTs work better with children, adolescents, and those who are visual learners
The Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS)
Video Games with health themes encourage family interaction and discussion
More likely to be open to discussion with others Internet makes more prolific and accessible
Outside the Box: Online (WebBased) Health Applications
The Many Faces of Tele-Health Online Health Information Patients Helping Patients (and others) Connections: Communicating with Health Professionals
Internet-Based Health Applications
The Internet seen as one giant encyclopedia
Because of vast quantities of text resources available Exacerbated by "Google" and "MySpace" and the like... Comes with hazards
But there's a whole lot more to the Internet than Google, AIM, and Hotmail
In case you've missed the past 10 years... ...Convergence!
Internet-Based Health Applications, Continued...
Tele-Health takes many forms and moves through many channels
Web-Based Libraries, IRC/ICQ, Online Communities, etc. Blogs, Wiki's, Chat Rooms, Interactive Media, Streamed Media, Podcasts
The most significant advances include reaching people in remote locations who otherwise wouldn't have access
...Perhaps one of the greatest benefits.
In...