Project Description

This multimedia project is a web-based feature animation designed to explain the full process of Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) to Filipino patients and medical practitioners. It will cover the necessary preparation before treatment, an overview of the session experience, and the post-session process, using engaging animated visuals to illustrate each stage. The project aims to fill the current gap in understanding how Virtual Reality Therapy works, particularly within the Philippine healthcare context, by offering a clear, localized, and accessible visual guide that simplifies the process for those unfamiliar with the therapy.

Rationale

The findings from Chapter 4 reveal that while Virtual Reality Therapy is gradually being explored in the Philippines, there is still a lack of consistent implementation and patient understanding. Without clear communication and structure, patients may find it difficult to engage with the therapy meaningfully.

To address this issue, this project proposes the development of a feature animation that visually explains what Virtual Reality Therapy is, what to expect before and after treatment, and how it fits into a broader therapeutic plan. Using animation as a format allows for simplified, easy-to-understand storytelling that transcends language or technical limitations. The animation would also be an effective way to present something relatively new in a concise and engaging manner to the general public. The web-based delivery ensures that the material is accessible to users with internet access, whether they are in hospitals, clinics, or at home.

Project Objectives

This multimedia project aims to:

• Encourage greater awareness and consideration of VRT as a complementary approach alongside traditional therapy in local health care

• Inform Filipino patients with anxiety and PTSD, as well as medical practitioners, about the process and potential applications of Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) in the Philippine context

• Provide a culturally relevant and accessible web-based feature animation that visually explains the preparation, session experience, and post-treatment steps of VRT

Target Users and Beneficiaries

Target Users

The primary users of this project are:

• Filipino patients diagnosed with anxiety, PTSD, or phobias who are potential or current Virtual Reality Therapy users.

• Medical practitioners including psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, or clinicians considering or currently implementing Virtual Reality Therapy in their practices.

Target Beneficiaries

The broader group who will benefit from the project includes:

• Mental health institutions and therapy centers seeking resources to orient patients about Virtual Reality Therapy

• Medical students or trainees in psychology and psychiatry programs learning about emerging therapeutic methods.

• Families or caregivers of patients, who may want to better understand the therapy their loved one is undergoing.

The animation is designed to be inclusive and considerate of Filipino language and cultural context, helping users feel more connected and informed throughout the process