ABSTRACT
Background: In US, only 12% of ESRD patients utilize PD as his/her RRT modality. Part of the reason is lack of effective education tool. Kaiser Permanente Northern California is an integrated health care system providing health care to 4.6 million members in greater San Francisco Bay area. We piloted a proof-of-concept study to test if utilizing virtual reality can improve patient dialysis modality education. Method(s): Nephrologists, PD nurses and technology-centered team from KPNC met regularly in 2019 to find out the gaps in dialysis modality educations. After several meetings and reviewing the current educational material, we decided to produce a 360 immersive video with 3 separate segments using a GoPro Camera. Google cardboard is used as the VR tool. We then tested on 9 patients during their patient education section. Result(s): Three segments showing nursing home visit, patient performing PD at home and patient sleeping during PD were produced. They can be assessed on YouTube: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=BayBNoZbNbA. We tested this VR tool for 9 patients. This number was limited due to in person trainings being curtailed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most patients felt that the first-person nature of the video (without VR) helped because the content was so helpful. However, there were some challenges: some patient became confused due to too much movement needed, not able to focus. Overall, patients appreciated the content but felt the 360 VR was not needed. They hoped if the video could be steadied, they would have a better experience. Table one listed the demographics and feedbacks. Conclusion(s): VR is a viable option for better patient education if it can be improved with better ease of use. Further studies with improved technology and larger numbers of patients are warranted to improve patient dialysis modality education. (Table Presented).