HutchWorld: Lessons Learned - A Collaborative Project: Fred Hutchsinson Cancer Research Center & Microsoft Research

The Virtual World Group (VWG) in Microsoft Research and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (the Hutch) are collaborating to develop and study online social support systems for patients at the Hutch. Medical research has shown that social support contributes positively toward psychological and physical well-being. However, in the real world, it is difficult for immune-compromised patients, their families, and their caregivers to interact with others facing similar challenges. In order to address the needs of Hutch patients and their caregivers, Microsoft and the Hutch developed HutchWorld, a Virtual Worlds application, to provide online, computermediated social and informational support. The present paper describes the approach of each design phase of the project, and lessons learned about a) developing an interactive online support system for a specific audience, b) the deployment of the online social support system to its target audience, c) the rigorous study of both its use and its impact on user well-being, and d) issues affecting collaboration among technology, medical, and research groups.