The Use of Virtual Reality in Hospice Care and Bereavement
Member Exclusive | Hospice Foundation of America Webinar
Hospice Foundation of America webinar
Event Details
New research has proven that immersive virtual reality (VR) is extremely effective at inducing awe and that awe can be beneficial for patients emotionally and physically. By shifting a patient’s focus from their diagnosis, VR can induce a transformative experience.
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Describe the impact of isolation and spiritual pain on persons facing a life-limiting diagnosis.
- Illustrate how virtual reality intervention, when prescribed and implemented well, can address spiritual pain.
- Explain the value of achieving awe in the intervention during the serious or terminal illness
SDAHO members receive free or discounted rates on HFA educational sessions. Register through SDAHO to receive a coupon code to use on HFA's site to access the special rates.
Kathleen Benton, DrPH, MA, CEO, Hospice Savannah, Inc & Teri Yarbrow, MS, MFA, President, MagikaVRx
Kathleen Benton is the CEO of Hospice Savannah, Inc. She is deeply involved in the region through volunteer advisory board roles with the Technical College System of Georgia’s local technical college and Georgia Southern University’s Waters College Advisory Board while holding professorships at Armstrong State University, Mercer University School of Medicine, and the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Benton holds a master’s degree in medical ethics and a doctorate in public health. She has authored and reviewed numerous publications on topics such as palliative care, ethics, hospice, and communication. Her first publication, a children’s book entitled Daniel’s World: A Book About Children with Disabilities, is closest to her heart. Her other publications include The Skill of End-of-Life Communication for Clinicians (2017), Finding Dignity at the End of Life: A Spiritual Reflection on Palliative Care (2019), and her latest book, Virtual Reality for Serious Illness (2024). She lives her vocation as CEO of four joint nonprofit organizations including Hospice Savannah. Dr. Benton resides in Savannah with her husband, Rex, and their three children: Julia Grace, Jack, and Andrew.
Teri Yarbrow is President of MagikaVRx, an immersive media company and founder of “Creating AWE” a VR program for healthcare facilities. She is a Professor of XR Medicine at Mercer University School of Medicine, a Founding Member of AMXRA and VR Evangelist, passionate about XR Healthcare strategy and Immersive VR Therapy. An Emmy, and multiaward-winning creative director in LA, she created Magika, a successful digital media company known for using advanced technology. She initiated the “VR for Good” program, creating therapeutic VR for patients at Hospice Savannah-Steward Center for Palliative Care and created MagikaVRx to relieve pain, anxiety, depression and enhance quality of life through VR therapy. Yarbrow is a leading voice in VR therapy, co-author of a new book, “Virtual Reality for Serious Illness”, featured speaker at vMed in LA, Immersive Tech Week, and AWE, nominated for the prestigious VR Award for Social Impact and winner of the Telly Award for Social Impact.