Hospitals can be stressful for patients and St Giles Hospice is using virtual reality headsets to share healing VR experiences with patients in hospice. Patients who cannot leave their beds have the opportunity to become immersed in the soothing sounds of nature and other virtual settings, which provides mental stimulation and temporary reprieve from the pain or discomfort they are currently experiencing.
"This distraction-related activity enables our patients to escape the realities of their present situation and offers a form of relaxation," describes Beth Robinson, one of the facility’s occupational therapists. Patients like 71-year-old Janet, who is living with endometrial cancer, are able to take a virtual walk on the seaside and find comfort in the sun and the sand, and find themselves lost in the moment.
Healing VR Experiences
St Giles Hospice Immerses Hospice Patients in Soothing Environments
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Reality Therapy - There is a growth opportunity for companies to develop virtual reality therapy products as a means of pain relief and mental stimulation for hospice patients.
2. Patient Distraction Technology - There is a market opportunity for companies to develop patient distraction technology to provide temporary reprieve from discomfort in hospitals and hospice care settings.
3. Immersive Healing Environments - There is an opportunity for companies to develop immersive healing environments that can help reduce patients' stress and alleviate pain during medical treatments.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare Technology - Healthcare technology companies can benefit from developing virtual reality therapy products for patients in hospitals and hospice care settings.
2. Gaming - Gaming companies can enter the healthcare market by developing patient distraction technology tools and providing immersive healing environments.
3. Artificial Intelligence - Artificial intelligence companies can benefit from developing smart immersive healing environments that can respond to patients' needs and preferences automatically.