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Relocation relocation: Does the use of virtual reality 360 degree images of a hospice improve perception at time of referral?

Taubert, Mark ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0454-5609 and Muckian, Eileen 2021. Relocation relocation: Does the use of virtual reality 360 degree images of a hospice improve perception at time of referral? [Project Report]. Cardiff University School of Medicine.

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Abstract

Background: Patients treated in the community and in hospitals may be offered transfer to a hospice for symptom management . Many of these patients may be unfamiliar with this setting, and some may feel anticipatory fear of this unknown environment. Our cancer centre uses Virtual Reality headsets and 360 degree photo/video technology on a digital media pad (tablet computer) to give patients a digital tour of what the regional hospices look like, in order to help decision making. Aims: To evaluate whether the use of a 360 degree visual tour of the local hospices, similar to what estate agents may offer for virtual house viewings, is useful to patients and whether it is easily implementable. To explore whether it impacts on palliative care patient perception. Methods: 360 degree filming and high resolution photography were undertaken as part of a quality improvement project in key areas of two local hospices, and uploaded to hospital and hospice websites, headsets and media pads. An online survey was created to assess the patient experience of the 360 degree digital views. Over a 6 month period, patients on the ward in the hospital who were willing to participate, known to the palliative care team, and/or who had an active hospice referral in place were offered a digital tour. Results: Of 25 patients, 90% felt more informed about hospices after seeing the 360 degree views. 95% of patients stated they would recommend the digital hospice tour to other patients. All preferred the electronic 360 degree tour to the paper patient information leaflets. Staff members felt the 360 degree photo tour was easily integrated into their day-to-day work. Conclusions: The use of 360 degree hospice views can make a significant difference to patient perception of what hospices look like and addresses the fear of the unknown. Whilst this evaluation was conducted prior to Covid-19, the use of the electronic media tour of hospices went up significantly in our inpatient unit during the pandemic, due to patients and relatives not being able to visit the hospice prior to deciding on relocation to this setting.

Item Type: Monograph (Project Report)
Date Type: Published Online
Status: Unpublished
Schools: Medicine
Publisher: Cardiff University School of Medicine
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 26 October 2021
Last Modified: 09 Nov 2023 02:10
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/144515

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