Avatar-Based Health Education: Applying Self-determination Theory to Promote Preventative Care in U.S. Military
Stephanie A Barrientos1,2, Stephanie Van Arsdale1,2, Lauren Messina1,2
1Consortium for Health and Military Performance, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) education for military members improved through a virtual 3D platform. This initiative, though the platform is decommissioned, offers a model for future health programs by enhancing motivation through autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular health
- Military medicine
- Health informatics
- Virtual reality in healthcare
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading cause of death in the US, significantly affecting veterans and active duty service members (ADSMs).
- The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Department of Defense (DoD) initiated a pilot program to address CVD risks in this population.
- The Veterans Affairs Virtual Medical Center (VMC) provided a platform for innovative health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the Performance, Health, and Wellness Center (PHWC) pilot program in educating ADSMs and veterans about CVD.
- To explore the potential of virtual immersion platforms for CVD risk reduction and health promotion.
- To reflect on the PHWC's alignment with Self-Determination Theory principles for enhancing health motivation.
Main Methods:
- The PHWC pilot utilized the VMC's 3D, avatar-interactive platform for self-paced or guided courses.
- It delivered CVD prevention strategies and information on DoD/VA resources.
- The program focused on educating geographically dispersed service members through virtual immersion.
Main Results:
- The PHWC pilot successfully provided accessible CVD education and prevention strategies to ADSMs and veterans.
- The virtual platform facilitated engagement and peer support, enhancing health literacy.
- The initiative unintentionally aligned with Self-Determination Theory, fostering autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Conclusions:
- The PHWC pilot demonstrated the value of virtual platforms for CVD education and risk reduction in military populations.
- The framework established by the PHWC offers lessons for future virtual health initiatives.
- Intentional design incorporating Self-Determination Theory principles can optimize virtual platforms for sustained health and wellness.
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