Co-design and pilot of a virtual reality intervention to improve mental and physical healthcare accessibility for people with intellectual disability
| Date | 09 April 2024 |
| Pages | 63-75 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-10-2023-0039 |
| Published date | 09 April 2024 |
| Author | Daniel James Acton,Rosalyn Arnold,Gavin Williams,Nicky NG,Kirstyn Mackay,Sujeet Jaydeokar |
Co-design and pilot of a virtual reality
intervention to improve mental and
physical healthcare accessibility for
people with intellectual disability
Daniel James Acton, Rosalyn Arnold, Gavin Williams, Nicky NG,
Kirstyn Mackay and Sujeet Jaydeokar
Abstract
Purpose –This preliminary study aims to examine the use of a co-designed immersive virtual reality
interventionprogramme in improving accessto health care for people with intellectualdisability.
Design/methodology/approach –A co-production approach was used to design a virtual reality
intervention in collaboration with people with intellectual disability, their families and carers. A mixed-
method single sample pre-test-post-test design examined using a virtual reality intervention simulating
health-care environments to improve access of attending health-care appointments. Qualitative
feedbackwas used to understand participants’experience and opinions of using the digitaltechnology.
Findings –The study found that the intervention did help people access health-care appointmentand
reduced their fear. Improvementswere also found in quality-of-life post intervention. Positive feedback
was provided from participantson using digital technologies indicating the novelty of the approach and
potentialfurther applications.
Originality/value –To the best of the authors’ knowledge, thisis the first study which has used virtual
realityto support people with intellectual disabilityaccess health care.
Keywords Anxiety, Co-production
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
People with intellectual disability face poorer health outcomes and experience greater
health inequalities compared to the general population. Often, these differences are
avoidable, with the potential forserious impact on individuals (Heslop et al.,2019).
Research identifies that peoplewith moderate to severe intellectual disability are three times
more likely to experience premature mortality than the general population (Heslop and
Hoghton, 2018). Access to health services and the ability to tolerate medical investigations
and treatments are a significant determinant for good health in this population group
(Heslop et al.,2014).
Evidence suggests that health inequalities and disparities start early in life and persist into
adulthood among people with intellectual disability (Ali et al., 2013;Allerton et al.,2011;
Triggle, 2015). Barriers such as limitedaccess to health care and ineffective communication
can often result in delays in people receiving necessary treatment (Ali et al., 2013;Doherty
et al.,2020
;Lewis et al.,2017). Consequently, identified gaps and limitations in service
provision highlight the necessity for effective and innovative desensitisation interventions to
(Informationabout the
authorscan be found at the
end of this article.)
Received 19 October 2023
Revised 17 February 2024
Accepted 10 March 2024
The authors would like to thank
the Burdett Trust for Nursing for
funding the digital intervention
project and Wirral Mencap and
all the people with intellectual
disability, their families and
carers who were involved in
different aspects of the
development of this study.
DOI 10.1108/AMHID-10-2023-0039 VOL. 18 NO. 22024,pp. 63-75, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282 jADVANCES IN MENTAL HEALTH ANDINTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES jPAGE 63
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