Hu Jian, Luo En, Song Enming, Xu Xiangyang, Tan Hongbao, Zhao Yi, Wang Yining, Li Zhiyong
Department of Prosthodontics, School and hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, China.
Int J Med Inform. 2009 Mar;78(3):208-15. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2008.07.003. Epub 2008 Aug 26.
This research investigated (1) the attitudes of dental patients toward searching online for dental information and (2) patients attitudes and expectations towards a web-based 3D virtual reality program for clinical dentistry.
A questionnaire survey was conducted in six clinics across two cities in China. Dental patients visiting the six clinics were invited to participate in the study. All subjects browsed a webpage containing the 3D virtual reality dental program. The new media was supplemented as a consultive system for patients into the traditional pattern of seeking dental care procedure. Subjects then completed a questionnaire detailing their attitudes toward their experience with the software. The questionnaire responses were then collected and analyzed.
45% of respondents reported having searched information online before receiving dental care. Respondents held different attitudes towards the online dental information, with a majority reporting a reliance on it but with reservations. Over 50% of respondents held positive attitudes to the web-based virtual reality dental information program, while 21% reported negative views toward the new method. Most respondents reported that the web-based virtual reality program was superior to traditional static web pages, but only as a supplementary material. Respondents also indicated that internet speed may likely be a major determinant to their future usage of such a system.
These findings indicate that a considerable portion of respondents conduct their own internet searches for related dental information before seeking professional advice on dental care. Most of the respondents reported positive attitudes towards a web-based virtual reality program for clinical dentistry. However, the current speed of internet connections in China is a major area of concern for the future application and uptake of web-based virtual reality dental software.
本研究调查了（1）牙科患者对在线搜索牙科信息的态度，以及（2）患者对基于网络的临床牙科三维虚拟现实程序的态度和期望。
在中国两个城市的六家诊所进行了问卷调查。邀请到这六家诊所就诊的牙科患者参与研究。所有受试者浏览了一个包含三维虚拟现实牙科程序的网页。将新媒体作为患者咨询系统补充到传统的寻求牙科护理程序模式中。受试者随后完成了一份问卷，详细描述了他们对软件体验的态度。然后收集并分析问卷回复。
45%的受访者表示在接受牙科护理前曾在线搜索信息。受访者对在线牙科信息持有不同态度，大多数人表示依赖但有所保留。超过50%的受访者对基于网络的虚拟现实牙科信息程序持积极态度，而21%的人对这种新方法持负面看法。大多数受访者表示基于网络的虚拟现实程序优于传统静态网页，但仅作为补充材料。受访者还指出，网速可能是他们未来使用该系统的一个主要决定因素。
这些发现表明，相当一部分受访者在寻求牙科护理专业建议之前，会自行在互联网上搜索相关牙科信息。大多数受访者对基于网络的临床牙科虚拟现实程序持积极态度。然而，中国目前的互联网连接速度是未来基于网络的虚拟现实牙科软件应用和推广的一个主要关注点。
