Dubai Health explores VR to reduce pain in medical procedures
Dubai Health, the first integrated academic health system in Dubai, is embracing virtual reality technology to improve patient care across its hospitals and healthcare centers. This initiative kicks off with a study and implementation program at the Thalassemia Center, exploring the use of VR technology to reduce anxiety and pain during cannulation (needle insertion) procedures for thalassemia patients. This study, the firstof-its-kind for this specific patient group in Dubai, holds promise for a more comfortable and positive healthcare experience. Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, which leads the learning and discovery missions of Dubai Health, will conduct and document the study. Unlike prior studies that primarily relied on subjective experiences, this novel approach will incorporate objective measurements such as eye movement tracking and heart rate to assess the effectiveness of VR technology, marking a significant advancement in medical discovery. Dr. Fatheya Abbas Al-Khaja, director of the Thalassemia Center, said: “The application of VR technology at the Thalassemia Center has the potential to transform the experience for patients undergoing cannulation procedures. Throughout my years at the Thalassemia Center, we have explored numerous modalities to alleviate the pain of our patients. This program epitomizes our ‘Patient First’ promise to provide a more comfortable and anxietyfree experience, not just for the patients, but also for their families who witness this process. We are eagerly anticipating the results of this study.”
Separate from the MBRU study, the selected VR technology had been tested extensively. It demonstrated clinically effective results in 14 published and 30 ongoing studies, providing a solid foundation for its use in improving patient experiences.