Carys Stevens
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Project Background:
The use of virtual reality (VR) in palliative and end of life care has the potential to transform patient and carer experience. A Macmillan Grant enabled the Ceredigion Specialist Palliative Care Team to purchase licences to access two virtual reality headsets for a two-year project.
Project Aims and Objectives:
To offer virtual reality experiences to patients and carers, exploring benefits, evaluating, and informing its future development and use within Hywel Dda UHB.
Objectives
- Explore benefits and challenges of using virtual reality with patients and their carers
- Evaluate the use of the equipment, taking into account: Patient / Carer situation; Location of Patient / Carer; Experience used
- Maximise the potential of the use of the equipment over the project period
- Determine if there is a business case for further development of the use of virtual reality across Hywel Dda UHB
Project Outcomes:
Common and emerging themes
- Calming and relaxing experience
- Opportunity for momentary escape from present situation
- Opportunity for family time
- Reminiscing
- Feeling of happiness
- Carer respite
- It’s amazing!
Top 3 experiences
- Meditation
- Secret beaches
- David Attenborough
Project Impact:
174 users demonstrate that following VR use:
- 60% report a reduction in pain
- 70% experience a reduction in anxiety level.
