Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to offer a number of use cases in the medical field, from training doctors and nurses to helping patients with their recovery. Recently, technology solution provider Cardinal entered into a partnership with the Me Fine Foundation to bring a unique virtual reality (VR) experience to UNC Children’s Hospital as part of Me Fine’s annual Christmas in July event.
The foundation’s holiday event is designed to fill a recreation and activity gap during the summer when volunteers, staff, and students are away.
Created in Cardinal’s Tampa office the VR experience allows both patients and their families to take part, in an adventure to the North Pole where they can catch presents.
Using Oculus Rift headsets, the kids get to meet a time travelling robot who takes them to the North Pole just as Santa’s present cannons go out of control. The videogame then requires the kids to fend off flying presents through four increasingly difficult levels whilst collecting power-ups to help them out.
“When Cardinal demoed the VR game to our foundation board we knew right away it would complement our Christmas in July event perfectly,” said Meredith Izlar, Program Director at Me Fine in a statement. “Summer inpatient stays can be a really difficult time of isolation for pediatric patients confined to their rooms, and this partnership will provide a unique respite for these children through technology.”
As an added bonus to the VR experience, Santa will make an appearance spending time with patients and families, while also distributing toys, trucks, stuffed animals, gift cards, and loads of other gifts for pediatric patients.
Me Fine Foundation’s annual Christmas in July event at UNC Children’s Hospital will take place on 26th July, 2018. For any further use cases of VR in hospitals and other institutions, keep reading VRFocus.