May 22, 2008
Fixing the Education Digital Disconnect
The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) will launch Immune Attack TM, an exciting, fun and fast-moving video game that teaches the critical scientific facts of immunology. The cutting-edge game is designed to teach how the immune system works to defend the body against invading bacteria. The visual elements and simulations are critical for grasping the complex interactions of the biological systems.
FAS is researching and developing ways to produce complex games and 3-D interactive simulations that will one day revolutionize education and how people learn. These learning games help students and workers learn globally competitive skills in demand by employers.
"Computer games hold special interest to a generation who has grown up with them and show promise as educational tools. Here at FAS, we’re using games to better understand which features can be used to improve learning and to develop guidelines based on that research," according to Henry Kelly, FAS President in a press release.
FAS's interest in games emerged from research that shows advanced learning technologies, such as video games and computer simulations, can help address one of the nation's most pressing needs -- strengthening education and preparing workers for 21st century jobs.
Immune Attack was created by FAS in collaboration with teams of game developers, instructional designers, immunologists, teachers, and learning scientists including Brown University, the University of Southern California, and Escape Hatch Entertainment.
To celebrate the premier of Immune Attack, a launch party is being held today at The American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, DC
Links
Link to Summit on Educational Games - harnessing the power of video games for learning
Other Educational Games Produced by the Federation of American Scientists
May 20, 2008
Google Health Launches
Google Inc. has finally launched its long-awaited Google Health (google.com/health), a service / product that will enable users to upload and store medical records from many sources and get relevant health information.
Yesterday's announcement expands upon Google’s initial notice in February, according to which the company had teamed up with the Cleveland Clinic to test the service with about 10,000 patients who already use the hospital’s online health records system. In this system, patients can upload medical records from organizations, enter their own data and create their own profile, search for viable information on health conditions or ask for a second opinion on their diagnosis.
When this was first announced a key concern was the issue of privacy over user’s sensitive information. A series of privacy watchdog groups believe that Google already knows too much about the interests and habits of its users as its computers log their request and store their e-mail discussions.
Following these concerns, Roni Zeiger, Google product manager, highlighted the fact that "Google Health cares about privacy and puts it in the control of each user. The user decides who, if anyone, has access to their records,' he said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Zieger also stated that it would not sell user data and will not sell health information unless requested by the user but that they may share anonymous data with third parties, such as the percentage of Google Health users with diabetes who had a flu shot.
May 18, 2008
US Study on Home Healthcare Technology and Telehealth
A recent study by the Royal Philips Electronics called the Philips National Study on the Future of Technology and Telehealth in Home Care reveals that nearly one third of large agencies are currently using a telehealth system and that industry use of telehealth is expected to double over the next two years, principally as a means of managing patients with chronic disease. In addition, over 88 percent of agencies report that telehealth services led to an increase in quality outcomes, as evidenced by a reduction in unplanned hospitalizations and ER visits, and over 71 percent report an improvement in patient satisfaction.
The Philips study was designed to address questions that are most on the minds of agency leaders about the role of four major home care technologies: human resources and billing systems, point of care systems, electronic medical records, and telehealth systems. Given the importance of telehealth to the future of home care and hospice agencies, much of the study focused on the various types of telehealth systems being used, the components of these systems, what agency leaders liked and disliked about their systems and most importantly, what leaders felt were the most significant impact of these systems on various aspects of quality and financial outcomes. Among the findings were:
* 17.1 percent of agencies use some type of telehealth system. A much higher percentage of large agencies (32.0%) report that they provide telehealth services.
* 88.6 percent report that telehealth led to an increase in quality outcomes:
- 76.6 percent report a reduction in unplanned hospitalizations
- 77.2 percent report a reduction in emergency room visits
* 71.3 percent report that telehealth services improved patient satisfaction. No agency reported that it reduced patient satisfaction.
* 83.9 percent state that less than one in ten patients refused a home telehealth system.
* 79.2 percent of patients or family members were reluctant to have the telemonitoring system removed.
* 42.8 percent report that telehealth led to a reduction in cost. A similar number reported it as cost-neutral.
* 63.5 percent report that telehealth had no impact on clinical caseloads. As more agencies use telehealth and move up the learning curve, clinical productivity measures may increase :
- 49.7 percent report telehealth decreased on-site visits
- 45.2 percent report telehealth increased the number of referrals
* 56.9 percent report that their nurses were very receptive to having a telehealth service after one year as compared to 36.3 percent at the beginning of the program.
* 89.1 percent stated that given everything they know today, they would still have started their telehealth program.
To receive a copy of the full report, visit Phillips (registration is required)
May 13, 2008
A Memory Lifebook for Dementia
A device called the MEMENTO Memory LifeBook is designed as a wearable mobile memory aid for elderly individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia. The goal was to design a user friendly, ergonomic device to serve the unique needs of this population. The product aims to allow the elderly demented users to manage their lives more effectively and efficiently by providing them with the confidence and ability to carry on their day-to-day living as independently and normally as possible. The device is conceptualized as giving them the opportunity to maintain their usual functioning for as long as possible by giving cognitive assistance in various spheres: e.g. maintaining contacts, reminiscence, carying out everyday routine tasks, keeping track of appointments, and maintaining consistent medication routines and other tasks.
Developed by a product design student in Singapore, MEMENTO is a design idea to offer a personal assistance device to help people suffering from dementia. The goal is to help with communication, remembering events in one's life, and keeping tabs on important to-do's and objects that need to be kept in mind.
MEMENTO Website (for more information and images)
Source: Medgadget
May 08, 2008
Who Should Own Data Captured in Personal Health Records?
According to a survey by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS), 92 percent of health care IT professionals said patients should own the data captured in personal health records. Four percent of respondents said providers should own PHR data, while 1% said the company supplying the PHR should own the data.
The survey also found that nearly half of respondents said that privacy and security issues are the biggest barrier to the use of a PHR. Twenty-four percent of respondents said that the biggest barrier to PHR use is that their clinician does not use electronic records. 
Thirty percent of respondents said they access a PHR, while 76% of respondents said they believe PHRs need to be integrated with an electronic health record to have value in patient treatment.
Results are based on an April online survey of 675 health care IT professionals.
Source: HIMSS Vantage Point
May 05, 2008
Structured Clinical Interview Training And Virtual Patients
Virtual Human Agent (VHA) technology has evolved to a point where researchers may begin developing mental health applications that make use of virtual reality patients. In an ongoing study from the University of Southern California of virtual patients (VP). Researchers have developed an approach that allows novice mental health clinicians to conduct an interview with a virtual character that emulates an adolescent male with conduct disorder. This study illustrates the ways in which a variety of core research components can facilitate the rapid development of mental health applications.
Effective interview skills are a core competency for psychiatry residents and developing psychotherapists. Although schools commonly make use of standardized patients to teach interview skills, the diversity of the scenarios standardized patients can characterize is limited by availability of human actors. There are also economic issues related to the investment of time and money needed to train standardized patients. Thus, using the Virtual Human Agent (VHA) technology, a different approach to developing mental health applications using virtual reality patients may be one answer to standardization.
Study
Objective structured clinical interview training using a virtual human patient.
Parsons TD, Kenny P, Ntuen CA, Pataki CS, Pato MT, Rizzo AA, St-George C, Sugar J.
Stud Health Technol Inform. 2008;132:357-62.