Three-dimensional modeling of a primary health care clinic in Ho, Ghana: its contribution to student engagement, fundraising, and program planning

Lalith Polepeddi,Elizabeth Barden

doi:10.3402/gha.v3i0.5060

Abstract

Improvements in computer-based technologies can be leveraged to enhance engagement of remote stakeholders with the health needs of a geographically distant community. Three-dimensional (3D) modeling offers a platform to create detailed spatial representations through which stakeholders can experience improvements in shared understanding as well as increased involvement in community health projects occurring anywhere in the world. This case study describes the development of a 3D model of a community health clinic in rural Ghana used to encourage fundraising and sustain global engagement among students at Northwestern University. The resulting ‘virtual clinic’ was achieved quickly and at little cost, suggesting a broader utility of 3D modeling for global health practitioners for increasing donor engagement and resource mapping.

Highlights

This paper describes the development of a 3D representation of the Health Outreach and Peer Education (H.O.P.E.) Centre, a community health clinic in Ho, Ghana, and its current uses at Northwestern University (NU)
This ‘virtual clinic’ was created to develop the potential for NU students to participate in international service learning as remote visitors by virtually negotiating the Center as it appears in actuality
Commercially available modeling products and support can be purchased, the availability of free, sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) modeling software [5, 6] allows for the rapid creation of virtual environments at no direct cost, which tremendously increases its appeal to global health practitioners working in resource poor settings

Summary

Introduction

This paper describes the development of a 3D representation of the Health Outreach and Peer Education (H.O.P.E.) Centre, a community health clinic in Ho, Ghana, and its current uses at Northwestern University (NU). This ‘virtual clinic’ was created to develop the potential for NU students to participate in international service learning as remote visitors by virtually negotiating the Center as it appears in actuality. We believe spatial visualization can enable partners across the globe to initiate and maintain involvement with community health projects and enhance the likelihood of their participation in future program development.

Results

Conclusion