Abstract

Imagine You're a Patient …
Prior to surgery you're invited to an education centre, which may be a virtual education centre located on the Internet. Here, you get a "tour" of the hospital, "meet" the staff who will care for you, receive educational material that will help you both pre- and post-op and "see" the room in which you will stay. Next, you get to enter preferences about your care - how much (or little) you'd like to participate in it, and any special requests you might have for your stay. Through the centre, you also meet an online support group of patients who have been through similar experiences. You realize how great it will be to "talk to" and get advice from people like these. You sign up for an online support "buddy," Jane, who not only recently had a similar operation, but also shares your interest in gardening. When you get home, you find a message from Jane and she promises to check in with you before and after surgery.