Xploro ®
Empowering young patients
with information
The problem
This is Issy.
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.
The solution
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).
Features
- Patent pending avatar chatbot that can answer questions, understand sentiment, tell jokes and detect the wildest of children’s misspellings!
- 3D augmented reality interactive models of hospital environments, equipment and processes
- Customisable avatars of all the medical professionals a child will encounter
- Multiplayer treatment-themed games
- Mood diary
- App management system that monitors patient sentiment and allows the input of calendar info to the app
Benefits
- Improves health literacy leading to better long-term engagement with health services
- Reduces stress and anxiety leading to better clinical outcomes
- Reduces costs as a result of reduction in repeat procedures and shorter treatment times
- Encourages patient feedback to clinicians following procedures
Testimonials
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.
Partners
Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital
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 Christie
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.
Edge Hill University
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.
Sutherland Labs
Our user research partners conduct regular testing of prototypes with patients, parents and clinicians.
We’re starting with children with cancer…
… but we’re building a health information platform for
any patient,
any age,
any condition,
anywhere
Get in touch…
To find out more about Xploro® or to arrange a demonstration please get in touch using the form below.
If you would like to know how this data is handled you can view our privacy policy hereIn the news
VENTUREFEST North West – Digital Innovation Winner 2018
The team
Xploro® is being developed by Corporation Pop, one of the UK’s leading mobile app development teams.
Advisors
Clinical consultant:
Dr. Peter-Marc Fortune
Associate Medical Director &
Chief Clinical Infomatics Officer,
Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
President of the Paediatric Intensive Care Society.
Script consultant:
Allan Plenderleith
Children’s scriptwriter for games and interactive. Credits include BBC Bitesize, CBBC, CBeebies, Fireman Sam, Horrid Henry and Noddy.
Patient advocate:
Mark Duman MRPharmS
Founder of Patient Information Forum