UMCG has developed a special app to help cancer patients know what to expect during radiotherapy.
Cancer patients who will undergo radiotherapy can prepare for the process from home thanks to a virtual reality app, which gives patients a virtual tour through the radiotherapy department and the proton therapy center.
UMCG hopes that the app will help patients feel less afraid of treatment and make the process run more smoothly. The Groninger Internet Courant reports that the app is meant for children and adults who will be undergoing either proton or photon therapy.
Radiotherapy can be intimidating for patients, requiring a lot of preparation before they lie down in a room surrounded by unfamiliar equipment and noises. The virtual tour helps patients know what to expect by leading them through the CT scan facilities, the mould room with options to help the patient get comfortable (such as a pillow between their legs or a cage-like mask to hold a patient’s face in place), and a anaesthetic recovery room for children.
