Using virtual reality to enhance procedure-related experiences in adult emergency departments: A qualitative study

Introduction

Needle phobia is a common issue affecting many patients in emergency departments (EDs), including adults. Virtual reality (VR) has rapidly advanced in recent years and is increasingly used in patient care. However, there is limited research exploring the subjective experiences of VR users in this context.

Aim

This study aims to explore the experiences of both patients and clinicians during painful needle-related procedures, as well as identify the barriers and facilitators associated with the use of VR to manage these procedures in ED.

Design

An exploratory qualitative study.

Method

The study was conducted in one adult ED in Australia in 2024. VR was used as an intervention to help manage needle phobia among adult patients with moderate or high anxiety levels. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten patients and seven ED clinicians. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data.

Findings

Overall, participants reported positive experiences with the innovative technology. Four themes developed from patient interviews included Communication with clinicians; The influence of current and past experiences; The VR experience; and Considerations for VR implementation. Three themes emerged from Clinician interviews including: Communication with patients; The VR experience; and Considerations for VR implementation.

Conclusion

This study offers valuable preliminary insight into VR experiences from both patient and clinician perspectives in the ED setting.

Implications

Clinicians and researchers should consider the identified barriers, facilitators, and potential solutions when incorporating VR interventions into their clinical practice and research.