@NEWORLD: A VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FOR KIDS WITH CANCER

@NEWORLD：癌症儿童的虚拟社区

• 批准号: 6744703
• 负责人: Barbara Ann Rapchak
• 金额: $ 0.22万
• 依托单位: LEAP OF FAITH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2000
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2000-09-01 至 2003-05-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/6744703
• 关键词: Internet; adolescence (12-20); clinical research; computer assisted patient care; computer human interaction; computer program /software; computer simulation; computer system design /evaluation; coping; human subject; interactive multimedia; middle childhood (6-11); neoplasm /cancer education; pediatric neoplasm /cancer; peer group; self concept; social support network

Children with cancer face myriad psychosocial challenges as they try to cope with their condition. The inherent qualities of the Internet- connectivity and interactivity in a media-rich environment-make it a promising tool for addressing these challenges. A comprehensive and scientific understanding of the impact of Internet technology is key to defining its role as an intervention in pediatric healthcare. We propose to develop an Internet-based intervention to help children deal with issues of isolation, fear, anxiety, and decreased selfesteem by providing access to a community of peers in an environment that encourages communication, education, and self-expression. We will evaluate the intervention by studying program effects in alleviating loneliness, anxiety, and stress. In addition, we will examine the value of the intervention as a communication and socialization tool by assessing effects on self-esteem, coping behaviors, and feelings of control over health destiny. Our goal is to keep the child connected to the school during diagnosis and treatment, and to connect the child with a community of peers who are experiencing similar challenges related to illness. In this way, we will use the Intemet as the basis for what we call "social computing" in an integration of technology and social need. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: This program will have initial application in pediatric cancer treatment centers, hospitals and schools. However, it also offers numerous vertical market opportunities. Cancer is just one of the many chronic or fatal diseases that affect children. The proposed program may be a useful prototype for expanding Internet-based technology to other chronic childhood diseases. The program may ultimately he made available to children's hospitals via third-party reimbursement from health maintenance organizations and health insurance companies.

癌症的孩子试图应对自己的病情，面临着无数的社会心理挑战。互联网连接性和互动性的固有品质在媒体丰富的环境中，它是解决这些挑战的有前途的工具。对互联网技术影响的全面和科学理解是定义其在小儿医疗保健中的干预作用的关键。我们建议开发一种基于互联网的干预措施，以帮助儿童通过在鼓励沟通，教育和自我表达的环境中提供与同龄人社区的访问，以解决孤立，恐惧，焦虑和减少的自尊问题。我们将通过研究计划对减轻孤独感，焦虑和压力的影响来评估干预措施。此外，我们将通过评估对自尊，应对行为以及对健康命运的控制感觉的影响，来研究干预作为一种交流和社会化工具的价值。我们的目标是在诊断和治疗期间保持孩子与学校的联系，并将孩子与经历与疾病相关的类似挑战的同龄人联系起来。这样，我们将使用Intemet作为技术和社会需求整合中所谓的“社会计算”的基础。拟议的商业应用：该计划将在儿科癌症治疗中心，医院和学校中进行初步应用。但是，它还提供了许多垂直市场机会。癌症只是影响儿童的许多慢性或致命疾病之一。该计划可能是将基于Internet的技术扩展到其他慢性儿童疾病的有用原型。该计划最终可以通过健康维护组织和健康保险公司的第三方报销向儿童医院提供。