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Virtual reality technology improving patient care

Innovative virtual reality (VR) technology is helping to enhance patient care. Frontline healthcare staff at UHNM and North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare are being given access to VR headsets which mimic the effects of delirium, including blurred vision, strange sounds and hallucinations. The unusual method of training is helping staff better understand the effects of delirium and what it feels like to be a patient.

Watch a video about how VR is transforming training

The tool forms part of a number of combined virtual reality products being pioneered within local healthcare settings and will help frontline staff to increase their understanding and empathy towards those with delirium – a state of ‘sudden confusion’.

Martyne Horton-Jones, senior sister for quality and safety at UHNM, said: “Using the VR headset has made me realise how isolated a person suffering with delirium is, it’s like a barrier between them and other people. Seeing how vulnerable and how isolated people are and how, even when other people approach, how they are still disconnected has made me more aware of the process and effect of delirium.  I have never seen that moment of disconnect and vulnerability quite so clearly.”

Dr Becky Chubb, consultant psychiatrist for older people at North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare, said: “We’re so pleased with how the VR training is progressing.

“The idea was to really put the person in the patient’s shoes so they can really experience what it might be like to experience an episode of delirium.

“From a training perspective, it’s really helpful to see someone else using the VR tool rather than only using it yourself. People don’t have to have the headset on if they’re not comfortable with it, but just by being in the room, there’s still loads to be learned.”

Staff are able to see what the patient sees, hear what they’re thinking and experience some aspects of what delirium can cause them to see.   The content of the training programme is based on real experiences of patients with delirium and includes delusions that staff are conspiring to poison the patient, that the building is under attack and that air raid sirens are going off.

Frontline staff across UHNM and Combined Healthcare have the opportunity to try out the film on Oculus headsets and to discuss what they experience with mental health and older person clinical leads from Combined Healthcare and UHNM.

Watch a video about how VR is transforming training

Kirsty Smith, Matron for Mental Health and Learning Disability at UHNM, said: “We are delighted to work in partnership with Combined Healthcare NHS Trust and have the opportunity to train our staff at UHNM with such a fantastic state-of-the-art digital tool. Anything which puts staff in our patient’s shoes to improve their experience, especially if they are suffering the effects of delirium can only be a positive for patient care.”

The delirium training video is the first step in Combined Healthcare’s vision for use of virtual reality and the Trust will be bringing forward other initiatives over the coming months.

Welcoming the joint initiative, Combined’s Interim Chief Executive, Dr Buki Adeyemo said: “As an older person’s clinician, as well as a strong advocate for the adoption and spread of new digital tools and technologies, this is a perfect example of how we can marry clinical insight and knowledge with innovation and imagination.  Congratulations to everyone from across both Trusts involved in delivering this amazing outcome.”

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