"I Feel like the Virtual Reality Really Gives You that Power Back": A Focus Group Study Exploring Breast Cancer...

Patients undergoing oncological surgery often experience elevated anxiety, partly due to the novel hospital environments (e.g., operating room [OR]). Virtual reality (VR) may be a practical and immersive way to expose patients to such triggering environments before surgery to address this anxiety. However, patient perspectives are often underrepresented in the development of these interventions, and patient feedback is essential to ensure their relevance and utility. A randomized clinical feasibility trial investigated the use of a preoperative VR OR prototype intervention with breast cancer patients undergoing surgery. Participants who indicated interest in participating in related studies were invited to take part in either an in-person (for treatment as usual [TAU] to trial the VR OR postsurgery) or a virtual (previously received preoperative VR intervention) focus group. These were audiorecorded, transcribed, and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The primary objectives were to understand patients' experiences with the VR intervention and gain patient feedback for future VR and study development. Ten participants from the feasibility study participated in one of four focus groups, six from the intervention group and four from the TAU group. Themes identified across focus groups included: (1) individuality shapes the VR experience, (2) wanting to know what to expect, (3) "a little more in charge of what's going on," and (4) "perspective of being on the (operating) table." The VR intervention was generally viewed positively and seen as a valuable resource. The focus groups were useful in deciphering patient suitability through discussion of individual differences and highlighting the benefits of the intervention, such as education, exposure to the OR, and facilitating a sense of autonomy and empowerment. While participants endorsed the VR intervention's current utility, they also provided meaningful suggestions for enhancement based on their lived experience. As new technologies such as VR are developed, it is essential to incorporate patient perspectives to ensure that these innovations effectively meet patient needs.