Disney and Philips Collaborate to Enhance Pediatric MRI Experience

Royal Philips and The Walt Disney Company have announced an innovative collaboration to incorporate Disney animated characters and stories into Philips' Ambient Experience for MRI. This initiative is designed to create a more engaging and less intimidating environment for children undergoing MRI scans in medical facilities across 87 countries.

These environments are particularly beneficial as MRI procedures can be daunting for children, requiring them to remain still in a large, noisy machine for extended periods. Such conditions often result in anxiety or claustrophobia, affecting approximately 66% of young patients. Anxiety can lead to longer procedures or the need for sedation, impacting overall imaging efficiency.

Dr. Atul Gupta, Chief Medical Officer for Diagnosis and Treatment at Philips, noted, "By integrating Disney stories into the MRI environment, we are fostering a setting where children can feel more at ease and remain still during scans." This approach not only improves the patient experience but also enhances operational efficiency, allowing care teams to focus on delivering high-quality imaging.

Supporting this approach, a multi-center study across six hospitals in Europe demonstrated significant benefits of using the Ambient Experience. For children aged 6 to 10, stress levels post-MRI were reduced by 43% compared to pre-exam, and scan interruptions decreased by 63%.

Lisa Haines, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at Disney, emphasized the power of stories in creating comfort and emotional connections for children and families in medical settings. This collaboration extends Disney's ongoing commitment to supporting children's hospitals globally, where they have already pledged $100 million to over 1,700 pediatric care facilities in 45 countries.

Philips has a long-standing reputation for pediatric innovation, offering solutions like Pediatric Coaching and Kitten Scanners to enhance imaging experiences for young patients. The Disney-themed content is now part of the Philips Ambient Experience environment, available at pioneering facilities such as those in Europe, Rady Children’s Health in Orange County, and Calderdale Royal Hospital.

By combining Philips' advanced imaging technology with Disney's engaging storytelling, this partnership aims to revolutionize the pediatric MRI experience, supporting better outcomes for young patients across the world.