Little Journey - supporting children and families through healthcare interactions
by Startacus Admin
The lowdown on digital health startup Little Journey and its VR solution to help reduce anxiety for children undergoing healthcare procedures.
Among the many fears that accompany becoming a parent is the idea that your child could get sick enough to be hospitalised. Worse still, that they might need surgery. As if these fears coming true weren’t enough, you then have to contend with your child’s own fear and anxiety about the procedure. According to Great Ormond Street Hospital, 75% of children having to undergo a medical procedure will experience significant anxiety, which may be severe enough to require restraint or sedation, and this can give rise to additional behavioural problems that have a lasting impact on recovery, self-esteem, and more. It goes without saying that ways of reducing this stress and anxiety are very welcome.
London-based VR startup Little Journey has been developing an app with animated characters explaining to the child what will happen before, during, and after the procedure to help prepare them. They can take virtual hospital tours and understand everyone they’ll be meeting during their visit. During their stay, it can also keep them entertained and distracted with games, as well as teaching them positive coping techniques. After the procedure, the app will continue to assist with things like tracking adherence to medication.
The Little Journey platform offers management portals for the hospital staff, allowing for personalised content and support, as well as editing important information and building patient pathways. The app can be tailored for the child’s age, specific hospital, and the procedure they will be undergoing.
Recently, Little Journey announced that they had raised $3.1 million in funding in a round led by London VC Octopus Ventures. This comes on the heels of a £1.5 million round in 2021 from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance. This funding will further develop the platform, increase their reach, and expand internationally. According to the startup, the platform has been proven to reduce anxiety by 32%, recovery time by 30%, and on-the-day cancellations by 42%, so we expect to see more and more good news from this startup in the future!
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Published on: 17th April 2023
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