Multi-modal Interaction in Biomedicine - Ambient Intelligence for Scientific Discovery - page 195

Fig. 7. A typical example of a collaborative environment.

1. Highly Cooperative Clinicians. The work of these people is highly cooperative

(Fig. 7) and may require fast intervention. They are very dependent on each
other, nurses and anesthetists. It is very important for these clinicians to
have access to different types of technology 'on-fly' (e.g., X-ray machines, the
electronic patient data, ultrasonic equipment, etc.) The Virtual Operating
Theatre is the best solution for this user type. However, it is important to
take into account the fact that it is quite possible that they have to remain
sterile, in which case a traditional wand and stereo glasses are not an option
for them.

2. Experts. These people are usually very experienced clinicians. In making

a decision they rely more on their own expertise, than on experience of
other people and available technologies. However, it does not always mean
that these clinicians are conservative. Many of them can be very enthusias-
tic about new advanced computer technologies, especially if the results are
generated quickly and comply to their expectations. This user type prefers
individual work, so a Personal Desktop Assistant might be a good solution
for them.

3. Mobile Clinicians. These people move around treating the patients. It can

be within a hospital but it could also be in the patients' home. These people
are working in different environments with different needs for IT-support
(e.g., the ward, the oce, the outpatient department, the meeting room, the
patient home). This user type is mostly interested in monitoring the patient's
condition. Although, from time to time they can be interested in getting a
quick access to the VRE system. The best solution for these clinicians is the
VRE deployed for the desktop projection modality available on a PDA.