New technology is impacting every industry and Healthcare is no exception.

“VR is a computer generated, immersive and three-dimensional environment that is displayed either on a computer screen or through special stereoscopic displays, such as the HTC Vive, Oculus Rift etc.”

Help train the next generation of physicians

VR is a cost-effective and engaging method for training students and medical practitioners in complicated surgical procedures. It provides an immersive realistic environment for effective hands-on training to improve surgical precision and patient outcome.

An example is the heart catheterization simulation available in UC Davis Center for Virtual Care. Cardiologists find it easy to perform on a mannequin named “Samantha” that provides a realistic experience, completely risk-free.

Learning from remote locations is made easier using virtual reality simulation.

For Pain Management and Rehabilitation

Patients who feel severe pain such as amputees or burn victims can benefit from VR therapy.

We shall understand how – Augmented Reality Services and Virtual Reality helps to alleviate the psychological and physical pain experienced during medical procedures to a large extent by distracting the mind with immersive experiences.

For example – in a Los Angeles hospital, patients in chronic or acute pain use special headgear to travel virtually through scenic Iceland, waterfalls & valleys and ease of different pain.

VR and video gaming to enhance stroke rehabilitation has been helpful to patients to regain their cognitive skills at their own time and pace.

Fitness management

Fitness Management is made a lot more fun and less monotonous through virtual worlds. Depending on the game being played, users can interact and activate their upper body, core, or lower body. Users are engulfed in images, sounds and enjoy an immersive exercise experience.

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy

Although still in its infancy, Virtual Reality exposure therapy has significant potential to provide relief from post-traumatic stress and extreme phobias. One of the certified treatment for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) is prolonged exposure to traumatic events in both imaginary and real-life settings. VR can help boost the efficiency of exposure therapy by creating fictitious, safe, and acceptable situations.

These are just few of the significant examples of Virtual Reality providing a transformative experience in the way healthcare operates. Apart from the emotional benefits such as enhancing entertainment, empathy, creativity, and expression, VR offers a host of practical advantages too; in various therapies and treatments to improve patients’ health and well-being. We need to tap into its full potential big time!