Reorganization Strategy to Optimize the Use of Virtual Reality

Strategy for Optimizing the Use of Virtual Reality by Reorganizing Practices

The benefits of virtual reality (VR) in managing pain and anxiety for critical care patients has never been demonstrated, even if a positive effect has been demonstrated in other populations of patients. A preliminary survey in 8 critical care units equipped with the VR mask, identified a under-use of masks by critical care teams. Before addressing the question of the effectiveness of the VR mask in a population of critical care patients, we must first identify the barriers and facilitators to its use and propose a new organization in critical care units promoting the use of VR mask by autonomous caregivers. A qualitative study will be conducted with patients and caregivers of a critical care unit to identify the barriers and facilitators to the use of virtual reality masks in the management of pain and anxiety by caregivers.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Volunteer caregivers working in the cardiac critical care unit for at least 6 months.
• Adult patients treated in the unit with a condition requiring at least one potentially painful and anxiety-provoking invasive procedure (e.g., Central Venous Line placement, Arterial Catheter Insertion, ...) allowing the use of the VR mask.
• Patients able to understand the instructions without language barriers, to ensure the validity of the interviews and the quality of the data collected.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Staff not volunteering to participate in the study.
• Patients whose condition presents a medical contraindication to the use of VR mask or who present cognitive disorders.