Place Matters: Virtual Reality Nature Experiences for Patients and Families

Dr. Olivia McAnirlin, Co-Director of the Virtual Reality and Nature Lab at Clemson University, joins co-host Dr. Lynn Harter to reflect on her use of 360-degree virtual reality storytelling in working with patients and families who cannot revisit memorable places in nature. Olivia developed the concept of TandemVRTM to regift nature and recreation experiences for people facing precarious circumstances including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Immersive storytelling is uniquely equipped to transport participants to cherished outdoor places, a process with therapeutic potential for both patients and loved ones.
You can read Olivia’s article in the journal Health Communication at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10410236.2024.2329423