Rotterdam collaboration behind Erasmus MC's pandemic apps

During the pandamic, Erasmus MC launched two remarkable apps. A VR app for nurses was developed in partnership with Rotterdam organisations. And the Grow It! app is still being used today for scientific research aimed at improving the wellbeing of young people.

Many young people were stuck at home during the corona crisis. Schools were closed, there was a curfew, more and more young people were struggling with loneliness and stress.

That’s why Erasmus MC, in collaboration with Erasmus University Rotterdam and the City of Rotterdam, developed the Grow It! app. The app lets young people track their mood and keeps them engaged through fun challenges.

Research

The Grow It! app was developed with a team of researchers, young people, and game designers. It is now part of eHealth Junior and continues to be used in scientific research.

That research focuses on children and young people with chronic conditions, and on young people whose parents have psychiatric problems, all with the aim of improving their wellbeing.

VR app for nurses

Covid-19 was a new and unknown virus, and as a leading university medical centre, Erasmus MC rapidly built up the knowledge needed to treat patients. To train nurses quickly and efficiently in assessing and caring for Covid-19 patients, the hospital developed a Virtual Reality app in record time.

The app included VR training films for nurses across the Netherlands, produced in collaboration with Rotterdam businesses and organisations. The City of Rotterdam, Life Sciences & Health 010, VR Gorilla, Philogirl, and Cardboards all contributed their services free of charge.

Long COVID

As a leading treatment and knowledge centre, Erasmus MC played a pivotal role in researching and combating the pandemic in the Netherlands. The hospital hosts an Expertise Centre for Long COVID, where one of the six Long COVID outpatient clinics in the Netherlands is based.