Design and evaluation of a virtual tour of a Radiotherapy department to improve patient experience
Nicky Hutton,
United Kingdom
MO-0796
Abstract
Design and evaluation of a virtual tour of a Radiotherapy department to improve patient experience
Authors: Nicky Hutton1, Daniel Hutton2, Mike Kirby3, Lauren Oliver3, Thomas Cummings1, Chris Butler4
1Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Radiotherapy, Liverpool, United Kingdom; 2North West Radiotherapy Operational Delivery Network, North West Radiotherapy Operational Delivery Network, Manchester, United Kingdom; 3University of Liverpool, Radiotherapy, Liverpool, United Kingdom; 4City of Liverpool College, The Digital Academy, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Purpose or Objective
Information and communication is a key component to achieving informed and relaxed patients and family. Evidence suggests that patients have concerns about the unknown aspects of hospital visits, such as navigating their way around the hospital and what to expect from their radiotherapy treatment. Open evenings have been shown to be beneficial for patients and their family in terms of meeting their information requirements and reducing anxiety.
This project aimed to be proactive in meeting patients’ information requirements using a virtual tour and providing key information without the need for an extra hospital visit.
Material and Methods
A virtual tour of the Radiotherapy department at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Liverpool was created utilising digital assets from the building construction.
A mixed method approach was used to evaluate the virtual tour:
1. Control group: Patients (n=9) were asked to complete a survey assessing knowledge and understanding of key information about the department.
2. Intervention group: Patients (n=14) were shown the virtual tour and then asked to complete the same survey.
Patients were invited to participate during their planning appointment, those who consented were sent a link to the video tour and survey via text message.
3. Focus groups: conducted with staff (n=17) utilising open ended questions to gather feedback on the virtual tour.
The treatment room and avatar can be seen in Figure 1. with a sample of survey and focus group questions.
Results
Patient surveys:
● 66.7% of patients in the control group felt anxious about attending the radiotherapy department for the first time, reducing to 28.6% in the intervention group with comments such as “not now that I’ve seen the video”
● 85.7% of patients reported knowing where to go for their appointments after watching the video compared to only 33.3% of patients in the control group.
● 92.9% of patients understood the queue calling system after watching the video compared to 55.6% of patients in the control group.
● 92.9% of patients understood the changing room system after watching the video compared to 55.6% of the control group.
● 85.7% of patients who had watched the video felt they knew what to expect in the treatment room, compared to only 33.3% of the control group with comments such as “the video helped”.
Patient comments included “excellent idea” and “alleviates the concerns about where to go and what to expect ahead of that first visit”.
Focus groups:
100% of focus group participants felt the virtual tour would be a positive addition to patient information. Comments can be seen in figure 2.
Conclusion
A virtual tour of the radiotherapy department has proved beneficial to patients, providing key information prior to starting their treatment, alleviating concerns and resulting in improved patient experience.
A virtual approach is attractive from a holistic viewpoint reducing hospital visits and also has organisational benefits in terms of resource allocation.