Zora: a pilot virtual community in the pediatric dialysis unit

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nephrology
• Medical Informatics
• Digital Health

Background:

• Pediatric patients with renal disease undergoing hemodialysis face unique challenges.
• The need for supportive environments to address psychosocial needs in chronic illness is critical.
• Virtual communities offer novel platforms for patient engagement and support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and safety of the Zora therapeutic community program for pediatric patients undergoing hemodialysis.
• To explore Zora's potential in facilitating identity exploration and peer interaction among young renal disease patients.
• To gather design recommendations for future therapeutic technology interventions in hospital settings.

Main Methods:

• A five-month pilot project involving pediatric patients with renal disease at Boston Children's Hospital.
• Utilized Zora, a 3D multi-user computer environment, for real-time interaction and virtual world building.
• Assessed patient experiences, focusing on identity exploration, social support, and safety.

Main Results:

• Zora was found to be feasible and safe for use in a hospital dialysis unit.
• The program facilitated patients' exploration of identity and encouraged mutual support and interaction.
• Patients engaged in building virtual rooms, programming behaviors, and real-time communication.

Conclusions:

• Therapeutic virtual communities like Zora hold significant potential for supporting pediatric patients with chronic illnesses.
• Technology designed for therapeutic purposes can aid patients in coping with illness and enhance their psychosocial well-being.
• Further research and development are recommended for optimizing virtual interventions in healthcare settings.