Using Virtual Reality to Connect to Culture: Aims to Improve Psychological Functioning During Hospital Admission

About the Project

People / organisations involved

Principal Investigator: Michelle Porter, Senior Psychologist, Logan Hospital

Associate Investigators:

Alexandra Deane, Logan Hospital
Dr Michael Norwood, The Hopkins Centre
Professor Louise Gustafsson, The Hopkins Centre
Joshua Jacob, Logan Hospital

Chelsea Marsh, The Hopkins Centre

Using Virtual Reality to Connect to Culture is an innovative research project exploring how culturally tailored virtual reality (VR) experiences can improve psychological wellbeing for hospital inpatients from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

Delivered at Logan Hospital, the project aims to support patients who may feel isolated or disconnected from their cultural identity during hospital admission. By integrating culturally specific VR content into psychology sessions, the study seeks to enhance connection to culture, strengthen therapeutic engagement, and improve emotional wellbeing during inpatient stays.

The project represents the first phase of a broader program of work focused on culturally responsive and technology-enhanced care within Metro South Health.

Aim and objectives

To co-design and evaluate culturally specific VR experiences that strengthen connection to culture and improve psychological functioning for CALD patients during hospital admission.

Objectives:

• Co-develop culturally relevant VR content with CALD community members.
• Assess the feasibility and acceptability of VR within inpatient psychology services.
• Evaluate the impact of VR-assisted sessions on psychological wellbeing and therapeutic alliance.
• Analyse relationships between cultural connection, VR engagement and patient outcomes.
• Disseminate findings to inform culturally responsive healthcare practice.

Expected outcomes and impact

The project is expected to:

• Produce a suite of co-designed, culturally relevant VR resources for use in hospital psychology services.
• Improve self-reported psychological wellbeing and patient experience during admission.
• Enhance cultural safety and engagement for CALD patients.
• Provide evidence to guide the implementation of VR in culturally responsive healthcare settings.
• Lay the foundation for broader research and innovation in technology-enabled, culturally sensitive care.

By strengthening connection to culture during vulnerable periods of hospitalisation, the project aims to contribute to more equitable health outcomes for diverse communities.

Project status and timeframe

Status: Ethics approval in progress / project commencement phase.

Design: Two-phase study

Phase 1 (Co-design): Focus groups with CALD community members to develop culturally specific VR content (approximately 2–3 months).
Phase 2 (Implementation and evaluation): Recruitment of CALD inpatients referred to psychology at Logan Hospital over approximately 10–12 months.

The study will include quantitative and qualitative evaluation of patient experience and psychological outcomes, with findings disseminated through presentations, reports and peer-reviewed publications.

This project is funded by a MSH SERTA PA Hospital Foundation Novice Researcher Grant.