Disney and Philips Team Up to Make MRI Exams Less Stressful for Children Worldwide. For many children, a visit to the hospital can feel overwhelming, especially when it involves an MRI exam. The unfamiliar environment, loud sounds, and need to remain perfectly still can create anxiety for even the bravest young patients. Now, a new collaboration between Disney and Philips is helping transform that experience by bringing beloved characters, magical stories, and immersive technology directly into MRI suites around the world.
In a groundbreaking initiative, Disney and Philips are combining the power of storytelling with innovative healthcare technology to create a more comforting and engaging experience for children undergoing MRI exams. The collaboration introduces Disney-themed environments into Philips Ambient Experience for MRI systems, helping young patients feel calmer, more relaxed, and better prepared during what can often be an intimidating medical procedure.
Disney Magic Meets Medical Innovation
The Walt Disney Company and Philips have announced a global collaboration that will integrate Disney stories and characters into Philips Ambient Experience for MRI systems across medical facilities in 87 countries. The initiative aims to create a more welcoming atmosphere for pediatric patients by surrounding them with familiar characters and immersive storytelling before and during their scans.
The Philips Ambient Experience platform utilizes specialized lighting, soothing audio, and engaging visual effects to help reduce patient anxiety. With the addition of Disney content, children can now choose from a variety of beloved franchises and characters, including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Disney Princesses, Marvel superheroes, Star Wars favorites, and more.
According to Lisa Haines, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility at The Walt Disney Company, storytelling has always played a unique role in creating comfort and emotional connection for families.
“At Disney, we believe stories have the power to bring comfort and emotional connection to children and families. We’re proud to collaborate with Philips to extend that impact into MRI rooms in a meaningful way.”
Addressing a Common Challenge for Pediatric Patients
MRI exams can be particularly difficult for children. Patients must remain completely still inside a large machine that produces loud sounds, sometimes for up to 40 minutes. Research shows that approximately 66% of pediatric patients experience anxiety during MRI procedures.
When anxiety levels rise, it can lead to interrupted scans, repeated imaging sessions, longer appointment times, and in some cases, the need for sedation. These challenges not only impact patients and families but can also create additional demands on healthcare teams.
To evaluate the effectiveness of Disney-themed Ambient Experiences, a multi-center study was conducted across six hospitals in Europe. The results were encouraging:
- Stress levels among children ages 6 to 10 decreased by 43% after their scans.
- Scan interruptions and pauses were reduced by 63%.
- Healthcare teams experienced smoother workflows and fewer disruptions.
Dr. Emilio J. Inarejos Clemente of the Department of Diagnostic Imaging at Sant Joan de Deu Hospital in Barcelona noted that the child-friendly audio-visual environment helped reduce stress while supporting efficient diagnostic imaging procedures.
A Longstanding Commitment to Children’s Hospitals
This new initiative builds upon Disney’s ongoing efforts to support children and families receiving medical care. Through collaborations with children’s hospitals around the world, Disney has spent years creating experiences designed to make healthcare settings feel less intimidating and more familiar.
Recently, Disney fulfilled a commitment of $100 million supporting more than 1,700 children’s hospitals and pediatric care facilities across 45 countries. The company has also trained thousands of healthcare professionals through Disney Institute programs and distributed millions of comfort items to children receiving treatment.
As part of this latest effort, Disney has provided the artwork and imagery used in the MRI experiences at no cost, allowing healthcare providers to bring beloved stories directly into patient care environments.
Helping Children Feel More Comfortable
According to Dr. Atul Gupta, Chief Medical Officer for Diagnosis and Treatment at Philips, creating a calming environment can have significant benefits for both patients and care teams.
By incorporating Disney stories into MRI suites, Philips hopes to help children remain calm and still during scans, improving image quality while creating a more positive experience for families. At the same time, reduced interruptions can help healthcare providers care for more patients efficiently without sacrificing quality.
Several hospitals, including pilot locations throughout Europe, along with leading institutions such as Rady Children’s Health of Orange County and Calderdale Royal Hospital, have already implemented the Disney-themed experiences and are reporting positive feedback from both staff and patients.
Healthcare and storytelling may seem like two very different worlds, but this collaboration proves just how powerful they can be when brought together. By combining Disney’s beloved characters with Philips’ innovative imaging technology, children facing MRI exams can experience a little more comfort, confidence, and even a touch of magic during a stressful moment. It’s a heartwarming example of how creativity and technology can work hand in hand to improve patient care and help families navigate medical challenges with a smile.
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