Newsroom

Virtual Reality Helps Enhance Care Experience for Infusion Patients
Jan 9, 2019

(ST. JOSEPH) – The infusion centers at Spectrum Health Lakeland recently introduced virtual reality (VR) into the clinical setting. While patients receive chemotherapy and other infusion services, they can use virtual reality to take them outside the clinical setting while helping relieve some of the current stresses of their situation.

Through an interactive computer-generated simulation, patients are exposed to a variety of experiences such as exploring the history of the Titanic or the Anne Frank House, meditating on the beach, or watching television in the comfort of an exotic mansion, among others.

“Medical technology continues to change faster than ever before and Lakeland is committed to staying on the forefront of these changes, especially as we work to improve the overall patient experience,” said Barbara Schmidtman, PhD, Manager, Radiation Oncology and Ambulatory Infusion, Spectrum Health Lakeland. “Most infusion sessions last around three hours. By using VR technology we are able to help patients pass the time while reducing their anxiety and stress levels.”

“Infusion patients are bound near the location of their clinical care, but virtual reality is able to take them almost anywhere,” said Brendon Beede, Project Manager, Information Technology, Spectrum Health Lakeland. “Patients are able to experience stories developed for VR and play mini-games to distract them from their current reality, which in itself is a blessing. My role is related to information security, so it has been really rewarding to find another passion that is able to give back and help improve the patient experience.”