Toni Esmaeel, Ayatollahi Haleh
Student Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Health Management and Economics Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Health Res Policy Syst. 2025 Apr 29;23(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s12961-025-01332-w.
BACKGROUND: Virtual reality (VR) technology has been useful in enhancing cancer-supportive care by alleviating pain, anxiety and emotional distress. However, its integration into oncology faces multiple barriers, including limited funding, insufficient clinician training, accessibility challenges, absence of standard guidelines and reimbursement policies. This policy brief highlighted policy options needed for VR technology interventions in cancer-supportive care. METHODS: This policy brief was developed upon a previous systematic review that examined the role of VR in cancer-supportive care. To translate these findings into actionable recommendations, we conducted a secondary analysis of policy-related opportunities and challenges. The extracted evidence was synthesized to propose strategic policy options that facilitate VR adoption in oncology. RESULTS: A total of five key policy options were identified: (1) increasing funding for VR research and development, (2) training programs for healthcare professionals, (3) expanding patient access through financial support mechanisms, (4) establishing standard clinical guidelines and (5) developing reimbursement policies. These recommendations aim to bridge the gap between technological advancements and their practical implementation in cancer care. CONCLUSIONS: Integrating VR into cancer-supportive care requires a coordinated effort among policymakers, healthcare institutions and technology developers. By implementing these evidence-based policy strategies, stakeholders can enhance patient access, improve clinical outcomes and ensure sustainable adoption of VR in oncology.
背景:虚拟现实(VR)技术在通过减轻疼痛、焦虑和情绪困扰来加强癌症支持治疗方面发挥了作用。然而,将其整合到肿瘤学领域面临多重障碍,包括资金有限、临床医生培训不足、可及性挑战、缺乏标准指南和报销政策。本政策简报强调了癌症支持治疗中VR技术干预所需的政策选择。 方法:本政策简报基于之前一项审查VR在癌症支持治疗中作用的系统评价而制定。为了将这些发现转化为可采取行动的建议,我们对与政策相关的机遇和挑战进行了二次分析。综合提取的证据,提出促进VR在肿瘤学中应用的战略政策选择。 结果:共确定了五项关键政策选择:(1)增加VR研发资金;(2)为医疗专业人员提供培训项目;(3)通过财政支持机制扩大患者可及性;(4)制定标准临床指南;(5)制定报销政策。这些建议旨在弥合技术进步与癌症护理实际应用之间的差距。 结论:将VR整合到癌症支持治疗中需要政策制定者、医疗机构和技术开发者共同努力。通过实施这些基于证据的政策策略,利益相关者可以提高患者可及性、改善临床结果,并确保VR在肿瘤学中的可持续应用。
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