The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Industrial Centre (IC) continues to be equipped with various advanced research facilities to meet the evolving needs of society, allowing students to learn in a comfortable environment. The Hybrid Immersive Virtual Environment (HiVE) at the IC stands as the world's first large-scale virtual hybrid classroom, which uses 15 projectors and employs a fully immersive six-sided Cave Automatic Virtual Environment technology to create a lifelike immersive virtual training setting. Students can immerse themselves in different scenarios while comfortably seated in the classroom, enhancing their flexible learning experience.
Prof. Vincent Leung, Associate Professor of Practice of the Department of Health Technology and Informatics of PolyU, and his team utilised the HiVE to develop a project named "HEROCARE". It is specially designed to support children undergoing cancer treatment. Through simulating the radiotherapy process, HEROCARE helped the children initially familiarise themselves with the process and understand the treatment conditions, machine operation and environment, ultimately reducing their anxiety.
The HiVE has unlocked new possibilities for medical education, particularly underscored amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows that fewer than 10% of children aged 5 to 8 complete radiation therapy without anaesthesia. Remarkably, since the introduction of the "HEROCARE" program, over 86% of participating children have successfully completed treatment without anaesthesia. Many children have shared their sense of relaxation, actively interacting with therapists, and demonstrating increased confidence and a positive attitude throughout their treatment journey.
Currently, HEROCARE has supported paediatric cancer patients and carcers in Hong Kong for radiotherapy preparation while also expanding its outreach. This holistic, empathy-focused model is scalable and sustainable, aiming to set new standards for ethical, patient-centred healthcare in paediatric cancer treatment.
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