Using Semantic Web technology to modelVirtual Patients

2

Semantic what ?• Semantic = that has meaning

Asking question about stuff (queries)

Getting Answers

Connected data

3

How it works: Resource Description Framework• RDF describes resources (stuff) using triples:

<Object, predicate, Subject>

RDF Document saysthings about stuff

Object

Subject

predicate

4

How it works: Resource Description Framework• Simple Triple

JR

eLearning Team

worksWith

5

How it works: Resource Description Framework• Linking several triples together

FrenchMan

JR

Is-a

eLearning Team

worksWith

likesToWatch

Heroes

SciFi showsLost

FlashForward

Is-a

Is-a

Is-a

Are we really talking about virtual patients here ?

7

Remember ?

Asking question about stuff

Getting Answers

Connected data

8

Asking questions to our patient

Asking question to our virtual patient

Virtual Patient descriptionIn RDF

Virtual Patient ontology

Getting Answers

9

What’s that now, “ontology” ?• Classes / Hierarchy of objects

(resources)

• Rules about objects :

– what their characteristics (properties) are,

– How they connect together.

10

Virtual Cases are interactive scenarios

11

Virtual Patients can answer questions• The program knows about:

– Symptoms: what type, where they are located, the intensity, duration, etc.

12

Virtual Patients can answer questions• The program knows about:

– Medical history: pre-existing conditions, surgery undertaken in the past, etc.

13

Virtual Patients can answer questions• The program knows about:

– Drug history: which drug, how much, for how long

14

Virtual Patients can answer questions• The program knows about:

– Family/Social history: profession, relatives, relationships, etc.

15

Students can perform actions on Virtual Patients• Actions have consequences, and can bring

the student to new events

• Actions can reveal information (images, sound, new symptoms, etc.)

Examinations

Diagnosis

Referral

Treatment