Self-help on the Web - Brazil

This model provides clients and specialists with the possibility of individual attention with service open to the general public 24 hours a day, including information, orientation, virtual appointment, groups of mutual help and knowledge updating. To offer this service to the poor, CERTI developed a special application using a public access terminal to the Internet (Web Terminal). The solution uses IT resources and a broadband access (ADSL)that allows interaction via the Internet, operating with VoIP, videoconference and electronic forum - the Web Terminal is equipped with a video camera and a telephone. If the user agrees the specialist can collect some preliminary information through the video camera. If the user prefers, he/she can remain anonymous. He/she can choose to communicate using the chat, and the specialist has the ability to conduct the session by controlling the navigation to illustrate his/her explanation or to show images that provide some help to the person in crisis. Cooperative work and learning are very effective to initiate thecommunication between the specialist and the user.

Health, Family Planning, HIV/AIDS, Crisis Management.

The main application is the Virtual Assistance to People in Crisis and cases of Chemical Dependence. Other programmes are being developed for pregnancy, diabetes, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, alcoholism, etc. The assistance model adopts the concept of meeting-rooms where the interactive agents learn more about themselves, acquire the capacity to examine and change their behavior and attitude. Moreover, they increase their capacity to endure the reality and expectations from third parties or from their own.