Abstract
BackgroundBeing separated from home and relatives is a major stressor for children and adolescents when hospitalized. Children long for a manner to be distracted, pleasured, and socially connected during hospitalization. Different technological devices have been applied in health care to answer those needs. Both virtual reality (VR) and videoconferencing have proven their value in hospital wards and pediatrics. VisitU combines these 2 technologies innovatively. VisitU is a recently launched VR product enabling users to be virtually at home during hospitalization.ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the experiences of hospitalized patients with the VR intervention of VisitU in addition to standard care.MethodsOver a 3-month period, a purposive sample of 10 patients hospitalized in the Radboudumc Amalia Children’s Hospital was included in this qualitative study. Semistructured interviews were performed, one before and one after the use of the VR device. Patients were asked open-ended questions concerning their experiences with VisitU on practical, cognitive, emotional, and social domains. The interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Atlas.ti was used to support the qualitative analysis. Furthermore, the inductive thematic analysis was done according to the 6-step procedure described by Braun and Clarke.ResultsThe following 6 main themes were the result of the qualitative analysis: “Being hospitalized,” “Expectations of VisitU,” “VisitU in use,” “VisitU, the benefits,” “The impact of VisitU,” and “Barriers when using VisitU.” The way VisitU was used by patients varied. The main benefits of VisitU were being somewhere else, being at home, and facilitating social connection. Limitations were experienced on the technical abilities, physical side effects, and complexity of use. Despite that, patients were positive about VisitU and unanimous in the view that they would like to use it again and advise other patients to use it.ConclusionsThis study shows the positive experiences of pediatric patients with VR live streaming. VisitU brings together the needs of patients and possibilities of VR and videoconferencing; it offers patients a way out of the hospital. Nevertheless, practical and technical obstacles must be overcome and side effects are an area of further research.
Highlights
Hospitalized children and adolescents have to cope with a complete change in their environment, people around them, and daily activities [1]
This study shows that pediatric inpatients were positive about the idea, effect, and possibilities of virtual reality (VR) live streaming
This study is based on a small sample of participants, the findings suggest VisitU brings together the needs of patients and the possibilities of VR and videoconferencing
Summary
Hospitalized children and adolescents have to cope with a complete change in their environment, people around them, and daily activities [1]. Children reported feeling separated from home, family, and friends as one of the worst experiences during hospitalization [1,3,5,6]. They long to communicate with peers and maintain contact with the world outside the hospital [2,4]. Different technological devices have been applied in health care to answer those needs Both virtual reality (VR) and videoconferencing have proven their value in hospital wards and pediatrics. Objective: This study aims to explore the experiences of hospitalized patients with the VR intervention of VisitU in addition to standard care. Practical and technical obstacles must be overcome and side effects are an area of further research
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