Clinical Scorecard: Incorporating Patient Feedback for Developing a Social Virtual Reality Platform for Older Adult Trauma Patients in Hospitals

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• Over 25% of trauma admissions in the US are older adults, with increasing prevalence expected.
• Opioids are commonly prescribed for pain but carry significant risks; nonpharmacological alternatives are needed.
• SVR may reduce pain and social isolation by providing meaningful social presence and engagement during hospitalization.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• Assess older adult trauma patients for pain severity and social isolation during hospitalization.

Management

• Consider integrating social virtual reality platforms to facilitate social connection and pain management.
• Use standalone VR headsets (e.g., Meta Quest 2) to minimize physical hazards in hospital settings.
• Select virtual environments that allow seated use, networked social interaction, and privacy.

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Monitor patient feedback on usability, acceptability, and feasibility of SVR interventions.
• Observe for changes in pain levels, mood, and social engagement during and after VR use.

Risks

• Be aware of potential opioid-related adverse events including addiction, delirium, constipation, and falls.
• Ensure VR use does not cause discomfort or disorientation in older adults.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Older adult trauma patients aged 65 and above hospitalized for trauma-related injuries

Iterative, user-centered design incorporating patient feedback is essential to develop acceptable and feasible SVR environments that support social interaction and pain management.

Clinical Best Practices

• Adopt a holistic approach addressing physical, mental, and social well-being in older adult trauma care.
• Incorporate social support mechanisms as adjuncts to pain management to improve recovery outcomes.
• Use immersive VR technologies that provide a strong sense of presence and social presence to enhance therapeutic effects.
• Engage patients in the design and refinement of VR interventions to ensure usability and acceptability.

References

• Trauma admissions and aging population projections
• Opioid risks in older adults
• Social isolation effects on health
• VR presence and pain reduction
• Social VR and enhanced social closeness
• Older adults and immersive technologies benefits