Methods and systems for improving patient engagement via medical avatars

A tangible computer-readable storage medium including a set of instructions to be executed by a processor, the instructions, when executed, implementing a method, the method comprising:

• generating three-dimensional model information to print a physical avatar on a three-dimensional printer, the physical avatar to model a portion of a particular patient's anatomy based on image data obtained of the particular patient, the physical avatar to include an output device to provide an output from the physical avatar that is perceptible to the patient, a communication device to facilitate exchange of information between the physical avatar and one or more external systems, and a controller to facilitate exchange of information, via the communication device, between the physical avatar and the one or more external systems;
• facilitating an exchange of information related to the patient between the physical avatar and the one or more external systems that provide a virtual avatar, the virtual avatar providing messaging, information and patient participation tools to facilitate patient engagement in monitoring and treatment of a condition affecting the portion of the patient anatomy represented by the physical avatar, the exchange of information including alerts provided by the output device in response to information from the virtual avatar.