Virtual worlds 'can boost medical education'
Wednesday 3rd June 2009
People working in UK medical jobs, pharmaceutical jobs and hospital doctor jobs can benefit from virtual worlds such as Second Life by interacting with other healthcare workers and experts to increase their knowledge and contribute to research, an expert has claimed.
Dave Taylor, programme leader for virtual worlds and medical media at Imperial College London, explained that while logging on to a website is usually an isolated experience, platforms such as Second Life rely on the "concept of community".
He said such sites allow interdisciplinary interaction between physicians, nurses and medical students.
Mr Taylor's comments follow the publication of a study by the University of Toronto and the University Health Network's Centre for Innovation in Complex Care, which discovered that a wide range of health-related activities occur in the 3D virtual world of Second Life.
The report said the site hosts medical simulations, disease-specific support and discussion groups, and enables the generation of real funds for medical research.
"People learn from games but people learn from one another as well, so one of the advantages of putting lots of people together ... is that they can learn a lot from one another," Mr Taylor said.
Written by Martin Lambert
Related articles
Winter viruses can be combated by vitamin D
Vitamin D has been highlighted as the latest weapon in order to combat winter viruses, new research has found. The supplement is...
Monday 30th April 2012
Researchers warn against widespread use of anti...
They are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs but researchers believe that anti-depressants could actually cause more harm...
Tuesday 24th April 2012
Daily aspirin doses could cut cancer cases by a...
Daily doses of aspirin could be a new way to avoid cancer, according to a new report published in The Lancet. In a series of tests...
Wednesday 21st March 2012
Related Pharmacy Jobs
Interested in locum Pharmacist jobs in the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire area?We require qualified and experienced Pharmacists...
Full infoWe are currently recruiting for experienced Pharmacists for both locum and permanent vacancies across the North West of England;...
Full infoPharmacy Job Opportunities within South Central England. We are continually recruiting for qualified and experienced Pharmacists...
Full info