Print Save as PDF

Overview

Background
Children undergoing medical procedures experience stressful reactions that can impair treatment and recovery. Currently, hospitals employ various methods to reassure these children, including showing them the treatment room and talking them through the procedure. However, some hospitals lack the necessary resources to accomplish this.

Innovative Technology
Researchers at the University of Maryland are working on a method to better prepare children going through a medical procedure that combines a 360-degree virtual reality (VR) simulation and narrated videos. The videos, which will be created by a team of computer scientists, child life specialists, and pediatric radiologists, will help to facilitate a conversation about the procedure between the medical providers and the child and their parents. The low-cost preparation will also provide hospitals that otherwise lack the resources to adequately prepare the children for the procedure.

Applications

· Reducing stress in patients undergoing a medical procedure
· Treatment of phobias, psychological disorders, or trauma

Advantages

· Low-cost preparation without the need for specialists or empty treatment rooms
· Facilitates a discussion among doctors, patients, and parents

Contact Info

UM Ventures
0134 Lee Building
7809 Regents Drive
College Park, MD 20742
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (301) 405-3947 | Fax: (301) 314-9502