Health Literacy in Virtual Worlds Study

PRESENTER: Evelyn McElhinney (Second Life Avatar: Kali Pizzaro)
Tuesday May 8, 2012 11:30am PDT
Research Pavilion, Healthinfo Island, Second Life

McElhinney is doing her PhD study on "Health literacy/Health information skills of people who access health information in 3D virtual worlds and the influence on real life health behaviour." Her research is ethical/IRB passed.

The purpose of her study is to better understand how people seek out, understand and use health information found in virtual worlds and if it influences real life health behaviour.

At this presentation in Second Life, McElhinney will be recruiting study participants who have accessed health information in a 3D virtual world. The health information could be in any form - a talk from a healthcare practitioner, a support group, a quiz, therapy info presented by sign or notecard, or any other way.

McElhinney will explain the details of the study and answer any questions you may have.  A  notecard giver with the information will also be available so you can take it and think about whether you wish to participate, then contact her later.

Presenter Bio: Evelyn McElhinney is Registered Nurse and Registered Nurse Lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland. She is also a Doctoral Student (part time) at Glasgow Caledonian University. She was in clinical practice for 13 years and has been full time at the University for 6 years. She has presented at national and international conferences and published in peer reviewed journals.

Presented simultaneously in voice and text.