To outsiders, Second Life seems like virtual huddle for cult creeps, the socially inept, or the fantasy obsessed. But before you write it off completely, this edition of HDCU will give you a download on how Second Life has, and can be, used effectively in the health field.

To jog your memory, Second Life is a virtual world that was launched in 2003 by Linden Lab in California. Members create virtual identities in the form of an avatar and become a resident in an online population of 18.5M. Avatars can go shopping for virtual items (using real money that is conv…

In June, we discussed Electronic Health/Medical Records (EMRs or EHRs) and concerns relating to privacy infringement, IT security and low adoption rates. Since then, the EMR/EHR debate has taken a prominent position in the political and legislative arena as regulators attempt to pin down what constitutes the ‘meaningful use’ of EMRs/EHRs. Some argue that the government is intervening excessively on the private sector and that the political rhetoric is stifling progress. Let’s be frank – the healthcare industry does not have the best track record when it comes to he…