In August 2024, Chief Sonographer Michael Hede introduced Queensland X-Ray to Smileyscope, an innovative virtual reality headset currently used in the Paediatric Ward at St Vincent's Private Hospital, Toowoomba (SVPHT).
Michael was motivated to explore evidence-based healthcare-focused devices after witnessing daughter Mabel's distress during multiple needle and cannula insertions during her week-long stay at St Gabriel's for osteomyelitis (a bone infection). Michael's research prompted a conversation with St Vincent's Paediatrician, Dr Leanne Browning, which led to the initiation of a trial of Smileyscope at St Vincent's.
"I was particularly drawn to this device because it was designed by health professionals specifically for use in healthcare settings. Research showed that the device was already in use at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne and The Children's Hospital at Westmead, among others." Michael explained.
"Smileyscope integrates VR technology into something as rudimentary as venepuncture to help deliver healthcare (blood tests, imaging, IV medications) and potentially lessen or remove the need for sedation techniques. Especially in the paediatric demographic, this can often be traumatising for the patients. Dr Browning also felt this could have great applications with the neuro-diverse population that undergo routine blood tests and ordinarily can require sedation."
Immersive experience
St Vincent's invited Mabel and Michael to be amongst the first participants to trial the virtual reality headset.
Mabel was enthusiastic about her experience trialling Smileyscope and excited that other children would benefit from Smileyscope when asked about her device trial.
"There were so many adventure templates to choose from on Smileyscope, and the ones I selected were kittens and the ocean.
"The kitten adventure felt like I was in a room of playful kittens. The graphics were so realistic that I felt as though I were in real life! It was such good quality that when I moved my head from left to right, I could see kittens doing different things around the room. What was even better were the sound effects of the lively kittens! It brought me lots of joy," she said.
Mabel was excited to learn that Smileyscope was now a permanent fixture at St Gabriel's:
"Smileyscope is such a fun experience with so many different virtual reality scenarios to choose from. More importantly, Smileyscope allows you not to focus or see what is happening to you. It is so relaxing and calming. I wish Smileyscope had been available during my hospital stay."
Michael agreed with Mabel's sentiments and reflected on the difference it would have made to his daughter's hospital experience.
"For paediatric patients, the anticipation of the procedure is disconcerting and heightens their anxiety levels. For Mabel, it would have worked twofold. Firstly, it was a distraction device, as she could not see what was happening when they were prepping needles, etc. Secondly, the device would have allowed her to refocus on something else and distract her mind.
"Smileyscope is a wearable VR headset that is fully immersive and helps calm the user. It is exciting that future patients of St Gabriel's and St Vincent's will have access to this amazing device."
The future of paediatric nursing
Virtual reality headsets and this style of therapeutic technology are crucial for the future of paediatric nursing and a direction that Michael encourages the healthcare industry to embrace.
"Paediatrics has unique challenges. Children are often scared and have difficulty staying still during important procedures, such as venepuncture.
"This challenge is compounded for healthcare providers because children's veins are smaller than those of adults. When fear sets in, anxiety levels rise, and discussions about restraint or sedation often occur. These discussions only intensify the trauma for the child and create a negative experience. In the future, and at no fault of the healthcare provider, this experience often delays a return visit, and this reluctance persists into adulthood. The use of a Smileyscope headset will hopefully create a pleasant experience and positive memory."
Therapeutic technology at Queensland X-Ray
Queensland X-Ray employs techniques similar to Smileyscope to enhance the patient experience. For example, our ceiling tiles on new CT, MRI, and PET installations create a calming environment that helps alleviate the clinical feel of treatment.
