VR to reduce pain in medical procedures
DUBAI HEALTH STARTS PROJECT AT THALASSEMIA CENTRE
Some patients in Dubai could soon wear virtual reality (VR) goggles when they undergo medical procedures in an project aimed at reducing pain and anxiety.
Dubai Health on Wednesday said it is embracing VR technology to improve patient care.
“This initiative kicks off with a study and implementation programme at the Thalassemia Centre, exploring the use of VR technology to reduce anxiety and pain during cannulation [needle insertion] procedures for thalassemia patients,” it said.
The study, the first of its kind for this specific patient group in Dubai, holds promise for a more comfortable and positive healthcare experience.
Extensive tests
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.
Dubai Health said this programme marks the first phase of integrating VR technology across its hospitals and health care centres, with plans to extend its application into medical procedures at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital and Latifa Hospital.
Beyond immediate application at the Thalassemia Centre, the programme also focuses on developing novel VR environments and experiences tailored to the local needs of patients in Dubai.
The long-term vision is to develop future iterations of AI-powered VR technology to further personalise the patient experience, a collaborative effort engaging both MBRU students and our clinical staff.
“This programme is the first of many to showcase how digital solutions can improve patient care within Dubai Health,” said Dr Yacine Hadijat, Associate Professor of Innovation in Health Science and Digital Health at MBRU’s College of Medicine.