'You are shaken awake!' a qualitative study on using virtual reality to understand patients' experiences

Medical professionals may get to appreciate the experience of patients, without being patients themselves. This study explored whether VR technology can be useful for teaching medical professionals about patient experiences.

A VR movie was made, showing a fictitious but realistic patient experience. Nineteen medical professionals, selected by a non-probability sampling method, saw this movie. Focus group discussions and interviews were held afterwards. Data were thematically analyzed with independent coding. Codes and (sub)themes were discussed within the research team.

Immediately after viewing, medical professionals felt 'shaken awake' and after several weeks, they maintained a heightened awareness of patient experiences in their daily practice. The VR movie was seen as a valuable teaching tool, despite the passive viewer role. The VR movie made them aware of three aspects of the doctor-patient relationship: a) paying attention, b) a person-centered approach, and c) building confidence.

A VR movie helps medical professionals to 'see' and 'feel' what patients experience. The character in the VR movie is unable to respond to the fellow characters, underlining the passivity of patients. VR-glasses can be an easy way to encounter what others experience, although a blended learning approach, using passive patients' roles with VR-technology and active participation with role play methods, is recommended.