Embedded 3D Web Based Content for the Creation of an Interactive Medical Browser

Abstract

The research project set out to examine the possibility of presenting 3D medical visualisations through a web browser to help suffers and their families understand their conditions. Explaining complex medical subjects and communicating them simply and clearly to non-specialists is a continuing problem in modern medical practice. The study set out to complement current methods of health communication via pamphlets, posters, books, magazines, 2D & 3D animations and text based websites as all of these have disadvantages which an interactive 3D system might be able to overcome. The reason a Web Browser approach was adopted was due to the wide availability of browsers for a large number of users. Additionally modern web based 3D content delivery methods negate the need to continually download and install additional software, at the same time allowing for a high quality user experience associated with traditional 3D interactive software. To help answer the research questions, a prototype artefact focused on Asthma was produced which was then tested and validated through user testing with a small group of Asthma suffers and evaluated by medical professionals. The study concluded that effective communication of medical information to sufferers and their families using 3D browser based systems is possible and can form a useful part of a medical communication system for non-specialists.