“Painful Medical Procedures in Children and Virtual Reality Applications” were discussed

The School of Nursing at the European University of Lefke (EUL) organized an international symposium titled “Painful Medical Procedures in Children and Virtual Reality Applications” for students and healthcare professionals.

At the symposium, moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Dilek Şayık, innovative approaches in healthcare were discussed, with a particular focus on the use of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies to reduce pain and stress during painful medical procedures in children. The speakers emphasized the importance of innovative methods aimed at reducing pain and anxiety experienced during pediatric medical procedures, highlighting that virtual reality applications not only improve clinical outcomes in pediatric care but also contribute positively to children’s psychological well-being.

The symposium, which featured international speakers, included expert professionals from Canada who shared their knowledge and experiences. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Argerie Tsimicalis from the Ingram School of Nursing at McGill University highlighted the importance of innovative and child-friendly care approaches used during painful procedures in children. Clinical Nurse Specialist Tina Athanasoulias from Shriners Children’s Hospitals shared practical examples regarding the integration of VR technologies into clinical practice, family involvement, and holistic care processes.

The event also included important evaluations regarding the critical roles of nurses in pain management and stress reduction during painful medical procedures in children, the integration of technology-based care approaches into nursing education, and the future of innovative practices in pediatric care. It was stated that the symposium provided an important academic sharing environment that not only enhanced nursing students’ professional knowledge and clinical awareness but also increased awareness of technology-supported care practices.

The symposium, which provided an opportunity for international experience sharing, was followed with great interest by the participants and concluded after the question-and-answer session.