Utilizing Virtual Reality for Distraction in Emergency Care

Purpose of ReviewThis paper will review the published literature involving virtual reality as a tool for distraction during emergency department waiting periods and minor procedures, with a special emphasis on virtual reality's analgesic and anxiolytic potential.Recent FindingsWith virtual reality becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, clinicians have started utilizing virtual reality as an intervention in the emergency department for pediatric and adult patients. These interventions have been implemented during waiting periods and minor procedures, showing promise for anxiolysis, analgesia, and distress management.SummaryThis paper summarizes the evolution of virtual reality use in patient interventions, with a focus on emergency department applications, logistical considerations, and future directions. Virtual reality is not discussed as a replacement for pharmaceuticals; rather, it is compared against inconsistent standard-of-care distractions (e.g., televisions, tablets) as a more immersive option. Positive findings with this technology are tempered by the limitations of current research, but VR still holds great potential.