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Implementation of Immersive Technologies in Pediatric Perioperative Care: A Multi-Institutional Survey Study
Kathryn S Handlogten1, Allison Fernandez2, Galaxy Li3
1Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Insights
Immersive technologies (ImTs) are used variably in pediatric perioperative care. Adoption is linked to champions, expertise, and resources, with barriers and facilitators identified for wider implementation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Anesthesiology
- Health Informatics
- Healthcare Implementation Science
Background:
- Immersive technologies (ImTs) like VR/AR are increasingly utilized for pediatric patients undergoing procedures.
- Clinical adoption of ImTs in pediatric perioperative settings is inconsistent across institutions and specialties.
- Determinants for ImT adoption in healthcare are known but not well-characterized for pediatric perioperative environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe current ImT use in pediatric perioperative settings among Society for Pediatric Anesthesia Improvement Network (SPAIN) institutions.
- To identify barriers and facilitators impacting ImT adoption in pediatric perioperative care.
- To report factors related to the implementation of ImTs in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- A multi-institutional, cross-sectional survey was distributed to key contacts within SPAIN member institutions.
- Survey data were analyzed using mixed-methods approaches, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.
- Responses from 24 out of 27 eligible institutions provided insights into current ImT practices.
Main Results:
- 13 institutions reported using ImTs, with highly heterogeneous use patterns.
- Successful ImT adoption was often associated with dedicated champions, technical expertise, and resource availability.
- Common use cases included anxiety reduction, distraction, and procedural support, with identified barriers and facilitators.
Conclusions:
- Immersive technology use varies significantly across pediatric anesthesia practices within the SPAIN network.
- The study provides a snapshot of current ImT adoption and highlights key factors influencing its integration.
- Further research is necessary to characterize implementation processes and evaluate strategies for routine ImT integration in diverse clinical settings.
Background:
Immersive technologies (ImTs), including virtual, augmented, or mixed reality, are increasingly used to support periprocedural pediatric patients, but clinical adoption varies widely across children's hospitals and specialties. Multiple determinants for the adoption of ImT in health care have been identified; however, these have not been well characterized in pediatric perioperative settings.
Aims:
Among Society for Pediatric Anesthesia Improvement Network (SPAIN) member institutions, we describe the current state of pediatric perioperative ImT use, identify barriers and facilitators to ImT adoption, and report perceived implementation-related factors.
Methods:
We conducted a multi-institutional cross-sectional survey of pediatric perioperative practices via key contacts from SPAIN. Survey responses underwent mixed-methods analyses informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.
Results:
Among 27 eligible institutions, 24 (89%) provided responses, 13 of which reported ImT use. Of these, 8 (62%) reported existing institutional infrastructure or governance to support ImT. Use patterns were highly heterogeneous, but use was commonly paired with the presence of champions, technology expertise, and available resource support. Use cases included anxiety reduction, distraction, and procedural support. Barriers, facilitators, and potential strategies for successful implementation were highlighted.
Conclusions:
ImT is used variably across pediatric anesthesia practices affiliated with SPAIN. These findings provide a descriptive snapshot of current practice and highlight factors commonly associated with adoption. Further work is needed to more rigorously characterize the implementation processes and evaluate strategies that may support integration of ImT into routine care in diverse clinical settings.
