Can hologram technology promote family connection and combat anxiety and depression in oil and gas employees?
Albert A. Valadez A * and Andrew JeremijenkoA Aspen Medical, Deakin, ACT, Australia.
The APPEA Journal 62 S358-S361 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ21068
Accepted: 16 March 2022 Published: 13 May 2022
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
Younger oil and gas workers suffer more from anxiety and depression than their older counterparts. Several factors contribute to emotional distress, but isolation and family disconnect are two predominant contributing conditions. Separation from social support results in missed milestones such as holidays, birthdays and anniversaries. A large sector of oil and gas employees is young, primarily male, with an average age of 36, with 22% being between 20 and 24 years of age. For some, employment in oil and gas marks the first time they are separated from family. Others are parents with children under the age of ten. These young employees are members of Gen-Z and technology natives who have a natural preference for innovative telecommunications. Members in this demographic are familiar and comfortable with virtual reality in gaming and communication. In the post-Covid era, most have grown accustomed to web communication. Presently, technology has evolved beyond two-dimensional interaction. Mixed reality involves using holograms to provide ‘telepresence’ through holo-teleportation and provides an in vivo experience for both the employee and his family members. This technology allows participants to have a virtual presence resulting in a live-lived experience with loved ones complete with familiar surroundings and objects. A realistic virtual presence is thought to mitigate the effects of separation.
Keywords: anxiety, depression, family, gas, hologram, mixed reality, oil, separation, telepresence.
Albert Valadez is currently the Clinical Manager for Credentialling and Mental Health Services at Aspen Medical. He has been a Professor of Mental Health Counselling for 17 years at Texas A&M University-San Antonio and the University of Texas at San Antonio. He received a BA in Psychology from the Texas A&M University in 1992 and later earned his MEd in Counselling and Guidance from Southwest Texas State University. In 2001, he earned his PhD in Counsellor Education and Supervision from St Mary’s University. Dr Valadez is a Mental Health clinical registrant and has worked with children, families, traditional college-aged students and the elderly in the United States and Australia. In addition, Dr Valadez has worked with Master’s and Doctoral Practicum and Internship students. Dr Valadez has published over 20 articles in the areas of addictions, multiculturalism, gerontology, neuropsychology and creative mental health interventions. |
Dr Andrew Jeremijenko is a specialist in Occupational and Environmental Medicine as well as a qualified General Practitioner and epidemiologist. He has worked in Australia, Asia and the Middle East. His most recent position was a Senior Consultant in Occupational Medicine for Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar and the Clinical Lead of the Coronavirus Swabbing and Research Station and he has more than 40 publications in the field of epidemiology. Dr Jeremijenko worked with Aspen Medical from 2008 until 2019 across various company projects. Dr Jeremijenko has worked in Australia and overseas as: World Bank Consultant (Bird Flu); Chief Medical Officer TeleDr; Chief Medical Officer Woodside (Oil and Gas); BP Medical Advisor, Indonesia; Emergency Doctor, Mater Private Hospital, Brisbane; and Royal Flying Doctor Service, Australia. Dr Jeremijenko has worked as an emergency doctor for over 10 years at the Mater Private Hospital in Brisbane and has experience in disaster medicine treating victims of the Boxing Day tsunami, earthquakes, industrial accidents and terrorism-related bombings. |
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