VR Medical Applications

Revolutionizing Medical Training

Traditionally, medical education has made use of cadavers and live patients for training. These days, there is a safer, more scalable, and repeatable alternative VR or virtual reality. It has been made possible by platforms like Osso VR and Fundamental Surgery that provide perform exemplary SIM surgical simulations, aiding students in doing complex procedures in a risk-free environment. Research suggests that with every additional simulation patients undergo with the use of VR prior to doing surgeries in real life, their skills improve, the number of mistakes made is fewer, and the level of confidence had increases.

Enhancing Patient Care and Rehabilitation

Practices in the field of medicine are not limited to looking after patients; they include caring for the patients themselves. In rehabilitation, virtual reality VR environments actively animate the patients' subsequent exercises that are out to promote recovery from motor skill deficits and improvement of cognitive function. Sheba Medical Center in Israel has programs that use VR as rehabilitation aids to help soldiers recovering from injuries.

In the realm of pain alleviation, VR is something that has not been unproven to be very essential in medicine. A clinical trial conducted at Georgetown University School of Medicine showed that patients with cancer using VR experienced relief from pain that was significant and long lasting unlike those that used guided imagery VR.  

Advancements in Surgical Precision

There is an increase in the precision of surgies because of the application of VR and AR to medicine. In the USA, surgeons at UC Davis Health use AR goggles during surgery and put important details about the patient's condition underneath that the patient would see during the operation toward advanced decision making that reduces complications once the patient is under the knife.

Furthermore, developments such as RetinaVR provide portable and affordable VR simulators for training in vitreoretinal surgery, which significantly increases the availability of specialized educational resources.

ArXiv: Addressing Mental Health

Through Immersive Therapy VR is also making strides in mental health treatment. VR is used therapeutically to help treat PTSD, anxiety disorders, phobias, and other conditions. These experiences allow patients to gradually confront their fears, which leads to improved therapeutic outcomes.

The Future of VR in Healthcare

The combination of AI and VR is expected to enhance healthcare even more. Medical professionals can benefit from AI-enhanced VR systems through personalized treatment plans, real-time diagnostics, and tailored teaching.

With the continuous advancement of AI technology, there is an expectation of increased availability for VR technology in various fields. This increased accessibility is likely to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and equality of care throughout the healthcare system, with all sectors benefiting.

With developments in different fields, VR is no longer considered a theoretical technology - but rather an essential tool in contemporary medicine. It is transforming the patient's journey from training and surgery to caring for them, as well as mental health treatment. The prospects for VR in the improvement of medical practices and patient care are endless.