Philips partners for world-first research to reduce patient anxiety during MRI scans

MedTech News: Philips, a global leader in health technology, is teaming up to test the effects of custom-made animation within Philips Ambient Experience, to reduce fear and anxiety during MRI scans.

Philips’ clinical research project with The Walt Disney Company will commence in Europe and the results of the pilot project will be completed later this year. It is the first time Disney has collaborated as part of a clinical research project of this kind.

Philips will investigate how Philips Ambient Experience – using a series of animated stories, including some of Disney’s most beloved characters  – can improve the patient and clinician experience during paediatric MRI procedures.

Medical exams like MRI scans can be challenging for many patients, especially children, who are anxious or claustrophobic. Philips Ambient Experience – with 2,000 installations worldwide – helps manage these challenges by creating an engaging, multi-sensorial imaging environment that is welcoming and relaxing to help improve efficiency with higher patient throughput and predictability, significantly reducing the need for retakes and rescans.

“A visit to the hospital can be quite intimidating for people, and especially children, where a more patient-friendly, patient-centric environment could help improve the patient experience and help drive first-time-right imaging for improved outcomes,” said Kees Wesdorp, Chief Business Leader of Precision Diagnosis at Philips.

“With this pilot study, we will investigate the impact of Philips Ambient Experience including Disney’s specially developed themes to empower children with a positive experience to help them throughout the medical procedure. Philips has always taken a human-centric approach to healthcare. Together, we can make a real difference for thousands of young patients going through medical procedures each day,” he added.

“I have seen first-hand that MRI scans can be intimidating for children, and I like how focused Philips is on the patient experience,” said Jan Koeppen, President, the Walt Disney Company, EMEA. “At Disney, we look forward to complementing Philips’ MRI experience with our stories and characters. We are excited to see the results of the clinical research and to quantify the impact our characters can have in this environment.”

Philips is showcasing its Ambient Experience solution at the European Congress of Radiology virtual event, March 3-7, 2021.