Acceptability and Usability of Smileyscope Virtual Reality for Paediatric Pain Management During Burn Procedures: Perspectives of Patients, Carers and Clinicians.

AIM

To explore clinician, child and parent acceptability and usability of the Smileyscope VR device in the context of addressing the unique pain and distress needs of young burn patients.

DESIGN

A survey comprising closed and open-ended questions.

METHOD

Descriptive statistics analysed participant characteristics, pain and analgesia. Qualitative content was collected from April 2022-August 2022 and analysed to identify barriers and enablers. Categories were then mapped onto the Capabilities, Opportunities and Motivation-Behaviour Wheel (COM-B) framework.

RESULTS

Smileyscope was found to be effective for reducing pain and anxiety during dressing changes by both patients (n = 39) and parents (n = 37). Clinicians (n = 35) reported high self-efficacy and willingness to reuse the device. However, concerns arose regarding the device's fit and the need for age-appropriate programmes.

CONCLUSION

Smileyscope demonstrated promise in reducing procedural pain and distress. The device is well accepted by all participants implying ease of implementation. Feedback suggests further program development and fitting optimisation is required.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Improved procedural pain has proven to decrease wound healing times, decreasing possible need for further scar management and long-term consequences after sustaining a burn injury. Smileyscope use in rural hospitals presents valuable opportunities for optimising early paediatric burn pain.

IMPACT

Increased burn pain can delay wound healing and have long term physical and psychological impact on patients. Smileyscope was well received within this cohort; however, improvements in device design and programmes were suggested. This study shows the potential for use of Smileyscope as a non-pharmacological approach to improving paediatric burn pain and distress.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

While our study included patients, parents and clinicians as research participants, there was no patient or public contribution in the design or conduct of the study, analysis or interpretation of the data.