Men’s experience of virtual simulation to aid patient education for radiation treatment to the prostate

virtual;simulation;patient;education;radiation therapy;prostate;cancer

Flockton, Alannah - Jayne ; Neser, Hazel ; Gallagher, Peter

University of Otago

关键词: virtual;    simulation;    patient;    education;    radiation therapy;    prostate;    cancer;   

Others  :  https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/bitstream/10523/7233/1/AlannahFlocktonJ2016BRT%28Hons%29.pdf

美国|英语

来源: Otago University Research Archive

【 摘 要 】

Prostate cancer affects more than 3000 New Zealand men each year. Many of these men receive a complex type of radiation treatment which requires patients to have a full bladder and empty rectum to aid in the accuracy of treatment delivery and minimise side effects. These concepts can be difficult to explain and current patient education involves verbal and written materials. A 3D immersive teaching tool Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training system (VERT) can visually simulate and demonstrate how radiation treatment is delivered to the prostate. There is sufficient evidence to support VERT as a useful teaching tool in the academic environment however; using VERT for one-on-one patient education is a novel approach.This qualitative, pilot study set out to explore men’s experience of VERT when it was incorporated into education sessions for prostate radiation treatment. More specifically, how VERT shaped the men’s understanding of how radiation treatment is delivered; why a full bladder and empty rectum is required; and their initial treatment experience. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews one week after the participants had experienced the VERT education and received their first week of radiation treatment. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to offer insight into the men’s experience of the VERT education session. The findings strongly suggest VERT education enhances patient understanding of radiation treatment through visual learning. There is a preference to have the VERT education delivered sometime near the first treatment appointment and VERT has the potential to support men through engagement, information sharing and encouraging peer support. There is a role for visual tools such as VERT to be included as part of patient education sessions for radiation treatment to the prostate.