Extended Reality: Utilizing Virtual Reality to Improve Pain, Caregiver Empathy and Provide LGBTQ Education Across VA Care Settings.

Abstract

We will discuss the use of virtual reality (VR) across diverse settings and modalities. First, using VR as a self-guided and patient centric intervention with Veterans to support the management of chronic pain. The pilot study implemented VR in a community living center (CLC), offering it to Veterans with moderate to severe pain. Data collected included vital signs, pain scores, and qualitative feedback. The intervention aligns with complementary and integrative health practices and holds promise as a nonpharmacological pain management option for Veterans in various settings.Second, we will describe the utilization of VR during a workshop for inpatient and outpatient staff, as an educational tool to help learners increase awareness on inclusivity among transgender older adults. Learners embody "Eden" a transgender older woman, to increase confidence and knowledge of caring and relating to LGTBQ older adults.Third, we will explain how VR experiential training was offered as a one to one modality to geriatric inpatient mental health providers. They were provided with the full experience of embodying a person living with dementia from the patient's perspective with the goal of increasing empathy, confidence and satisfaction and improving on skills to non-pharmacologically manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.