Virtual reality (VR) is not just for gamers and sci-fi nerds. It’s also a powerful tool that is transforming the healthcare industry in ways you might not expect. From training doctors to treating patients, VR is making healthcare more accessible, effective, and empathetic. And it could save your life someday.
But don’t take my word for it. Let me show you some of the amazing examples of how VR is being used in healthcare right now, and why you should care about them. Trust me, you’ll be blown away by what VR can do for your health and well-being.
VR Can Train Doctors Better Than Real Life
Imagine you’re a medical student who wants to learn how to perform a complex surgery. You could watch a video, read a textbook, or observe a real operation. But none of these methods can give you the hands-on experience and feedback that you need to master the skills.
That’s where VR comes in. VR can simulate any surgical scenario in a realistic and immersive way, allowing you to practice on virtual patients without risking any harm. You can also get instant feedback from experts, who can guide you through the procedure and correct your mistakes.
This is not science fiction. This is already happening in many medical schools and hospitals around the world. For example, Osso VR is a VR platform that trains surgeons to perform orthopedic procedures, such as knee replacements and spinal fusions. The platform has been shown to improve surgical performance by 230% compared to traditional methods.
Another example is Fundamental Surgery, which uses VR and haptic feedback to create a realistic sensation of touch and resistance when performing surgeries. The platform covers various specialties, such as orthopedics, cardiology, and neurology.
VR can also help doctors learn how to communicate better with patients and colleagues. For instance, Oxford Medical Simulation is a VR platform that trains doctors to handle various clinical scenarios, such as breaking bad news, managing emergencies, and dealing with difficult situations. The platform uses artificial intelligence to create realistic and interactive conversations with virtual patients and staff.
VR Can Treat Patients More Effectively Than Drugs
VR is not only useful for training doctors but also for treating patients. VR can provide more effective and personalized treatments for various physical and mental health conditions, such as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, PTSD, phobias, addiction, and more.
How does VR do that? Well, VR can create immersive environments that can stimulate positive emotions, distract from negative sensations, or expose to feared stimuli in a safe and controlled way. By doing so, VR can help patients cope with their symptoms, overcome their fears, or change their behaviors.
For example, AppliedVR is a VR platform that helps patients manage chronic pain by using various techniques, such as guided imagery, mindfulness meditation, cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, and more. The platform has been shown to reduce pain by 52% on average.
Another example is Limbix, which uses VR to treat anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and more. The platform uses exposure therapy, which involves gradually exposing patients to their feared situations in VR until they become less anxious.
VR can also help patients recover from physical injuries or disabilities by using gamified exercises that motivate them to move and improve their functions. For example, XRHealth is a VR platform that combines VR games with biofeedback sensors to provide physical therapy and rehabilitation for various conditions, such as stroke recovery, balance disorders, chronic pain, and more. The platform also connects patients with remote therapists who can monitor their progress and provide feedback.
VR Can Foster Empathy Among Healthcare Professionals
One of the most important aspects of healthcare is empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Empathy can improve the quality of care, enhance patient satisfaction, reduce medical errors, and prevent burnout among healthcare professionals.
But empathy is not easy to cultivate. It can be hard to imagine what someone else is going through if you have never experienced it yourself. That’s why VR can be a powerful tool to foster empathy among healthcare professionals by allowing them to see the world from their patients’ perspectives.
For example, Embodied Labs is a VR platform that simulates various health conditions for ailments such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or a migraine headache. In one of the company’s first labs, users become Alfred, a 74-year-old man suffering from macular degeneration and high-frequency hearing loss. By experiencing his challenges firsthand, users can gain a deeper understanding of his needs and preferences.
Another example is Kognito, which uses VR and artificial intelligence to teach communication skills in people with autism. The platform uses virtual characters that can mimic the behaviors and emotions of people with autism, such as avoiding eye contact, repeating words, or having meltdowns. By interacting with these characters, users can learn how to recognize and respond to their cues in a respectful and supportive way.
Why You Should Care About VR and Healthcare
By now, you should have a clear idea of how VR and healthcare are saving lives. But why should you care about them? Well, because they could affect you or someone you love someday.
Maybe you or someone you know suffers from a chronic condition that could benefit from VR therapy. Maybe you or someone you know needs surgery that could be performed better by a VR-trained surgeon. Maybe you or someone you know works in the healthcare industry and could use VR to improve your skills and empathy.
Or maybe you’re just curious about the future of healthcare and want to learn more about the amazing possibilities of VR. Whatever your reason, you should care about VR and healthcare because they are changing the way we heal and care for each other.
And that’s something worth celebrating.
What Do You Think?
I hope you enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing it. I think VR and healthcare are fascinating topics that deserve more attention and appreciation. But what do you think? Do you agree or disagree with me? Do you have any questions or comments? Do you have any personal stories or experiences related to VR and healthcare?
If so, I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below and share your thoughts with me and other readers. Let’s start a conversation and learn from each other. And don’t forget to share this article with your friends and family if you find it interesting and informative.
Thank you for reading, and I hope to see you again soon.
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