The use of virtual reality in patient education related to medical somatic treatment: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To map the available evidence on the context, content and outcome of VR in patient education in situations related to preparation for medical somatic treatment. METHODS: A Scoping review. In October 2020, the Embase, CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases were searched with the terms 'Virtual Reality' and 'Patient Education'. The literature was synthesised and mapped with a narrative approach. RESULTS: 17 studies published between 2015 and 2020 were included in the qualitative synthesis. VR was applied in (paediatric) surgery and radiation therapy treatment. VR interventions were heterogeneous regarding technical applications, context of implementation, guidance by healthcare professionals and integration in education sessions. Anxiety reduction was demonstrated significantly in some studies. Patients experienced VR education useful; it enhanced understanding, improved communication with healthcare professionals and encouraged treatment compliance. CONCLUSIONS: The application of VR in patient education is a promising technology. Patients are highly satisfied and experience enhanced understanding. VR education was not effective in reducing all anxiety, pain and stress and improving preparedness for treatment. Practice implications It is important to develop VR interventions profoundly. The application of a methodological framework for VR development is recommended. Involve patients, educationalists and technology professionals in the development of technology interventions.

Patients' voices in the development of pre-surgical patient education using virtual reality: A qualitative study.

Objective: To identify the information needs and perceptions of patients regarding the application of virtual reality in pre-surgical patient education. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted between March and July 2020. The study population consisted of a purposive sample of patients scheduled for cardiac surgery from a single institution. Semi-structured individual interviews (n=19) were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Patient perceptions regarding virtual reality and information needs related to hospitalisation and surgery could be categorised into three themes: Creating familiarity, contents to explore and challenges and preconditions. Conclusions: Virtual reality technology is a promising tool that can enhance conventional patient education to improve understanding and to potentially reduce concerns and anxieties. The virtual reality environment creates an opportunity for patients to be in control of the timing, quantity, depth and frequency of patient education. A virtual reality education tool should not be a substitute for personal contact with the physician. Innovation: Patient information needs were identified profoundly to the further development of a virtual reality intervention. This intervention aims to educate patients prior to elective cardiac surgery.