Co-design and pilot of a virtual reality intervention to improve mental and physical healthcare accessibility for people with intellectual disability

Purpose This preliminary study aims to examine the use of a co-designed immersive virtual reality intervention programme in improving access to health care for people with intellectual disability. Design/methodology/approach A co-production approach was used to design a virtual reality intervention in collaboration with people with intellectual disability, their families and carers. A mixed-method single sample pre-test-post-test design examined using a virtual reality intervention simulating health-care environments to improve access of attending health-care appointments. Qualitative feedback was used to understand participants’ experience and opinions of using the digital technology. Findings The study found that the intervention did help people access health-care appointment and reduced their fear. Improvements were also found in quality-of-life post intervention. Positive feedback was provided from participants on using digital technologies indicating the novelty of the approach and potential further applications. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study which has used virtual reality to support people with intellectual disability access health care.