Threshold Objects
Katie Jeffreys

Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 22:17:48 +0000

From: Matthew.L.Kelley@lawrence.edu
Subject: Fwd: Pediatric Interactive Program
Sender: Matthew.L.Kelley@lawrence.edu
To: jeffreys@MIT.EDU
 
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Date: Mon, 09 Mar 1998 18:28:10 +0000
From: Matthew.L.Kelley@lawrence.edu
Subject: Pediatric Interactive Program
To: Discussion group on pediatric medical informatics <pedinfo@u.washington.edu>
Reply-to: pedinfo@u.washington.edu

I have an ideas for a program for the pediatric waiting area.

The idea is simple; an interactive program that enlists the use of a affable child character, who, like the patient is ill, maybe a cast or something to show this. The child in the waiting room will be able to, through a touch scree, interact with this character, porviding some possible information on how the child--patient is feeling about the procedure that day, is sad, or otherwise, I plan to set this up so that it will relay responses to the attending doctor and will be added to the information for the patient. I believe it wil help the doctor to gain information about the child that the patient may not volunteer otherwise, thereby, making the envitible anxiety of a visit more tolerable..

I would hope for some insight on what you, the real pediatricians would like to see.... And some ideas for characters, Child, or ssome other (dinosaur?). then I hope to talk to some kids, and get started on this...

Thanks for your time...

Matt Kelley

-----End Of Forwarded Message -----


Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 22:17:58 +0000
From: Matthew.L.Kelley@lawrence.edu
Subject: Fwd: Re: Pediatric Interactive Program
Sender: Matthew.L.Kelley@lawrence.edu
To: jeffreys@MIT.EDU
 
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 1998 10:09:59 -0500
From: Daniel Frieling <dmf@compukid.com>
Subject: Re: Pediatric Interactive Program
To: Matthew.L.Kelley@lawrence.edu
 
>... I plan to set this up so that

>it will relay responses to the attending doctor and will be added to the

>information for the patient.

Hi Matt,

Do you have this system now? Designing it now? What do you do? It sounds like an interesting piece to have data ported into our primary care ped-med-rec system. We could theoretically import the data and store it as a "Note" called "Patient Input..."

What do you think? And let me know if you are a programmer, looking for someone to write this, interested in collaboration, etc.

Regards,

Danny

****************************************************************************
Daniel Frieling mailto:dmf@compukid.com
Pediatric Software Intl., Inc. http://www.compukid.com
Computer software for primary care pediatrics
CompuKID, The Pediatric Toolkit ImmuKID, The Immunization Toolkit
(800) WELL-CHILD (800-935-5244) Outside the USA: (802) 651-0809
 
A software bug defined: A computer doing something wrong - perfectly.
I.R.S.: We've got what it takes to take what you've got.
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-----End Of Forwarded Message -----

 

I think that this is an interesting idea. I would reccomend an interface that includes a physical teddy bear type object that the child could interact with. This would allow for the child to show the bear "where it hurts" or where an operation would be done, etc. The bear would be connected to the computer either physically of through infared sensors. This comforting object would not only give the status of the patient's well being, but improve it.

Talk With Me BarbieThis is similar to the new "Talk with Me Barbie" which provides a way for a child to enter information about herself in the computer to which barbie reacts and converses. This is a good product/interface because it allows girls to interact with the computer in a manner that appeals to them. It is becoming apparant to software makers that many girls do not enjoy violent adventure games, and that this interaction between a simple doll and a computer is attractive to a young girl.