VIRTUAL CONVERSATIONS: AMPUTEES AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS

在美国，创伤性事故和疾病导致每周新增3000例截肢。目前的估计是截肢者人数超过200万。对于大多数截肢者来说，未受过训练的家庭成员承担起照顾责任，实际上使受肢体丧失影响的个人人数翻了一番。截肢者和照顾者都报告需要信息和支持，特别是在头两年。互动戏剧公司(IDI)开发了一种语音驱动的多媒体模型，使用户能够用真人的视频图像进行“蕾丝-面对面”的虚拟对话。在第一阶段，IDI创建了一个原型系列虚拟对话节目，以有经验的截肢者为特色。一项涉及23名新截肢者和照顾者与经验更丰富的同龄人进行虚拟对话的现场测试证明，这个过程不仅可行，而且令人愉快和可信。所有参与者的实际知识都有了显著的提高，几乎所有人对截肢者的态度都发生了积极的变化。这些调查结果是第二阶段开发一系列综合虚拟对话方案的基础，该方案以来自不同社会经济和文化背景的各种类型的有经验的截肢者以及专家保健专业人员为特色。这一系列活动将增进截肢者及其家庭照顾者的知识，改善他们的健康和福祉。拟议的商业应用：互动访谈将分发给全国各地的急性护理医院、康复医院和项目、医生、保健组织和保险案件经理。它还将通过田纳西州诺克斯维尔的美国截肢者联盟管理的国家肢体丧失信息中心分发。分发渠道将包括截肢者和家庭照顾者的倡导协会和组织。促销活动将包括广告、会议、直邮和直销。

Traumatic accidents and disease lead to 3,000 new amputations each week in America. Current estimates place the amputee population above two million. For most amputees an untrained family member assumes caregiving responsibilities, effectively doubling the number personally affected by limb loss. Both amputees and caregivers report the need for information and support, particularly during the first two years. Interactive Drama Inc. (IDI) has developed a voice-driven multimedia model that enables users to conduct "lace-to-face" virtual dialogues with video images of real people. In Phase I, IDI created a prototype series of virtual dialogue programs featuring experienced amputees. A field test involving 23 new amputees and caregivers conducting virtual dialogues with their more experienced peers proved that this process was not only feasible, but enjoyable and believable. All participants showed significant gain in practical knowledge and virtually all had a positive attitude change about amputees. These findings are the basis for the Phase II development of a comprehensive series of virtual dialogue programs featuring experienced amputees of various types from different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, as well as expert health professionals. This series will enhance the knowledge and improve the health and well being of amputees and their family caregivers. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: The interactive interviews will be distributed to acute care hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals and programs, physicians, HMOs, and insurance case managers throughout the country. It will also be distributed through the National Limb Loss Information Center administered by the Amputee Coalition of America in Knoxville, TN. Distribution channels will include advocacy associations and organizations for amputees and family caregivers. Promotional activities will include advertising, conferences, direct mailings, and direct sales.