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Supportive Care in Cancer

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01-08-2018 | Original Article

Patient education using virtual reality increases knowledge and positive experience for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy

Authors: Yobelli A. Jimenez, Steven Cumming, Wei Wang, Kirsty Stuart, David I. Thwaites, Sarah J. Lewis

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 8/2018

Abstract

Purpose

Improved access to technology in the radiation therapy (RT) workforce education has resulted in opportunities for innovative patient education methods. This study investigated the impact of a newly developed education tool using the Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) system on patients’ RT knowledge and anxiety.

Method

Breast cancer patients were recruited into a control group (CG) (n = 18) who underwent the standard pre-RT education package at a targeted cancer therapy centre, followed by a VERT group (VG) (n = 19). VG patients attended a VERT-based education session detailing RT immobilisation, planning and treatment. All patients completed questionnaires at four time points throughout their treatment, with survey sub-sections on RT knowledge, experience and anxiety.

Results

For both groups, anxiety levels were highest at time point 1(T1 after initial radiation oncologist consultation) (CG, 41.2; VG, 43.1), with a gradual decrease observed thereafter at time points before simulation, at the beginning of treatment and at the end of treatment (p > 0.05). The VG’s RT knowledge scores were statistically significantly higher than those of the CG scores at all time points following VERT education (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study reports the high value of VERT breast cancer-targeted education programs in improving RT knowledge and perhaps decreasing patient anxiety. Continued efforts are required to improve patients’ accessibility to VERT in Australia, and to better understand the effect of VERT’s unique educational features on patients’ emotional and physical needs throughout their RT.

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Title: Patient education using virtual reality increases knowledge and positive experience for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy
Authors: Yobelli A. Jimenez
Steven Cumming
Wei Wang
Kirsty Stuart
David I. Thwaites
Sarah J. Lewis
Publication date: 01-08-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 8/2018
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4114-4

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