Xploro ®
Empowering young patients
with information
When she was 13 she was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma. Now, aged 20, she’s cancer-free, but when she was ill nobody told her what to expect and that made her feel scared, anxious and alone.
But this problem isn’t unique to Issy.
Across the board provision of information preparing children for hospitalisation is poor.
The few resources that hospitals do have, such as books and leaflets, become worn out quickly and are costly to replace and there aren’t enough play staff to spend time with children, preparing them for procedures.
Research shows that patients who are not well informed prior to their medical treatment experience increased stress and anxiety. This can lead to poor long-term engagement with health services and poorer health outcomes.
Xploro® is a mobile application that uses augmented reality, gameplay and artificial intelligence to deliver health information to patients, in a way which makes them feel empowered, engaged and informed, whilst having fun at the same time (and it’s made by Issy’s dad’s company).
I am incredibly excited by Xploro. Its initial focus on young people is important as they can be particularly difficult to engage. That noted, it’s vital to recognise that very few projects hold such potential to appeal to every patient group, from young child to geriatric, able to disabled and educationally challenged to academic. I anticipate it will improve compliance, outcomes, safety and patient satisfaction.
How we engage and inform children and young people about health deserves much greater attention than it currently receives. We have to work with children and young people to develop these resources. I’m excited by Xploro and look forward to offering ongoing support and to championing the work as it develops.
The largest children’s hospital in the UK is our testbed for evaluation of the app. App content is validated by clinical teams at the hospital.
The largest cancer centre in Europe and the first Proton Centre in the UK. We’re currently developing a ‘Protons’ add-on module for the app in conjunction with the hospital.
Clinical evaluation of the app is being led by Dr Lucy Bray, Professor of Child Health Literacy. Research results will be published in Summer 2019.
Our user research partners conduct regular testing of prototypes with patients, parents and clinicians.
To find out more about Xploro® or to arrange a demonstration please get in touch using the form below.
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Xploro® is being developed by Corporation Pop, one of the UK’s leading mobile app development teams.
Dr. Peter-Marc Fortune
Associate Medical Director &
Chief Clinical Infomatics Officer,
Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
President of the Paediatric Intensive Care Society.
Allan Plenderleith
Children’s scriptwriter for games and interactive. Credits include BBC Bitesize, CBBC, CBeebies, Fireman Sam, Horrid Henry and Noddy.
Mark Duman MRPharmS
Founder of Patient Information Forum