Breast Cancer Patients’ Perceptions of a Virtual Learning Environment for Pretreatment Education

Abstract

The process and technicalities of radiation therapy (RT) for cancer treatment can be challenging for patients to understand as RT involves complex procedures, highly specialised equipment, and radiation itself has limited sensory characteristics. Hence, it is imperative that education programs are specifically planned and developed to suit the needs of patients, address radiation as an entity and include salient visual aids. In this context, the Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) system, primarily created for RT practitioner simulation, may provide unique opportunities for patient education. This article reports on patient feedback of a newly developed breast cancer patient education program, which integrates the VERT system as the focal education tool. The education program content included RT immobilisation, simulation, planning and treatment components, along with an introduction to the VERT system. Nineteen breast cancer patients (n = 19) completed an evaluation questionnaire at the completion of their VERT education program. Open-ended questions were used to detect the least and most useful aspects of the education session. Patient feedback indicated a high regard for the comprehensiveness of the education program, with particular acknowledgement of the three dimensional visual features of the VERT system. It is proposed that VERT's high visual impact should be exploited in tailored patient education programs in order to obtain maximum patient engagement and make significant gains in effective knowledge transfer.

Radiation therapy patient education using VERT: combination of technology with human care

“…Learner groups and measures of outcomes have been developed within or for local cancer care centre resources and patient education needs. Studies delivered education to patients with a range of cancer diagnoses, with some dedicated studies delivering education to prostate cancer patients and breast cancer patients . Researchers have taken advantage of the VERT system's features including display of computed tomography (CT) datasets which specifically matched their target learner group and education objectives.…”

“…In one study, VERT education sessions were conducted using each individual patient's RT treatment plan. All other studies employed a relevant, but generic patient CT data set …”

“…In terms of evaluation outcomes, patient knowledge and satisfaction were the most commonly explored outcomes . Patients’ satisfaction with the education intervention was often measured using non‐validated, study‐specific instruments or interviews, reducing the ability to compare results between different studies . Nonetheless, data from these studies report an increase in knowledge and/or satisfaction with the VERT‐based education interventions.…”

“…The images on the VERT system are very detailed and are likely to be unfamiliar to patients. A recent study found that a minority of breast cancer patients found some VERT images, such as the internal anatomy displayed within a transparent body, ‘distressing’, and hence further evaluation is required to determine how to make use of VERT imagery without evoking negative feelings or worry for patients …”

“…VERT provides a combination of graphics, sensory technology and a physical hand‐held pendant which enables users to interact actively with the artificial, computer generated environment . The introduction of VERT into patient education offers clinical and academic educators an innovative way to demonstrate RT information …”