Virtual Reality (VR) refers to a three-dimensional computer-generated world that allows users to have an interactive exploration through peripheral devices. Its objective is to give users a feel of experience by using perception-changing tools that make them navigate the virtual world as though they are part of it. Within the healthcare sector, the application of VR started in 1993 when it was first utilized for treating people with mental disorders. Since then, VR technology has been used for various purposes, including training and educating medical practitioners, addressing psycho-motive impairments, patient treatment, and medical marketing. The application of virtual reality may be complex and expensive. Nonetheless, its utilization within the healthcare sector can promote the well-being of patients while enhancing the competencies of healthcare workers.
Evaluation of VR in Education and Training
The VR is widely used in educating people in medical faculties as well as healthcare professionals. Particularly, VR allows students to deal with all medical situations as though it is in real life (Thomas, 2021). For instance, the lecturer can take advantage of the three-dimensional nature of VR to visualize the internal organs of the body. The VR technology is important in standardizing scenarios in exams (Fertleman et al., 2018). Moreover, through computer graphics, it is now possible to perfectly recreate parts of the human body. The interactive simulation of the human brain is increasingly used for training psychologists and psychiatrists.
The use of VR in education and training has created many advantages as it engages learners in a more interactive way. The experimental simulations motivate learners as it breaks the monotony of traditional classrooms. The VR enables healthcare students to perform complex operations in a risk-free and cost-effective environment. Moreover, VR increases interaction within the educational context, making it easier to remember the concepts due to skills acquisition and transfer. However, some institutions can be expensive to invest in some 3D technologies for schoolwork. Those who are of lower socioeconomic status may be disadvantaged in learning. Therefore, using VR in the education of medical practitioners has multiple advantages but can create discrepancies.
Evaluation of VR in Surgical Performance and Planning
The VR technology has an interesting application for surgeons. Notably, in 2000 the United States Food and Drug Administration approved for robotics to be used as assistance in human surgery (Aziz, 2018). Surgeons can now perform remote telesurgery surgical preplanning, minimally invasive surgery, and image-guided surgery. For instance, during operations, physicians can control mechanical arms by utilizing haptic technology. In planning, VR takes actual data from the patients and integrates into the graphic data generated by the computer mimicking patients’ data. The surgeon can view the VR and rectify the problem within the simulation to minimize error in actual operation of patient.
Moreover, the surgical team can go through the entire operation process through the VR and make informed plans for the actual surgery. Thus, there are many advantages of VR in surgery as it minimizes the chances of performing errors due to automation of some processes as well as rehearsals. Furthermore, when there is an emergency case and the lead surgeon is not available physically, VR can guide the rest of the team to save the life of the patient. The only drawback is that the success of using VR in the surgical unit greatly depends on the ease of use (Halbig et al., 2022). Therefore, the surgeons need to be competent and experienced in using the VR.
Evaluation in Marketing Medical Equipment
While selling biological products, it is relevant for healthcare organizations to use the VR technologies so that customers can test the devices before actual purchase. The VR offers experimental marketing that encourages quick feedback as customers can easily state what they like and what they dislike regarding the medical equipment. Resultantly, it can help to customize products according to the market demands and expectations. However, some customer segments who are not familiar with the use of modern technology may be left out in the purchase of the equipment.
Evaluation of VR in Psycho-motive Impairment Training
The VR is effective in motivating emotional feelings, promoting behavior change, and transforming lifestyles. It is these qualities that make physiotherapists, psychiatrists, and psychologists utilize the technology to help their clients achieve optimal wellness. For example, when people with terminal illnesses such as cancer patients are recovering from the chemotherapy, they often have fears and anxieties, which they can resolve through Virtual Reality Distraction Therapy (VRDT). VR has some application in the treatment of people with diabetes as it can serve as a reminder and motivation to follow the required regimen such as exercise, meals, and insulin tests.
The relaxation technique can be used for patients with mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, and fear. In addition, people with functional impairments and developmental delays can use VR for their training routine. The VR offers a unique setting where the patients can explore and act without threat. Moreover, it achieves consistency while allowing the clients to manipulate it for an optimal experience. The only drawback is that VR is still inaccessible in some areas, and there are no universal requirements for use.
Rehabilitation and Addiction
People with substance use disorder often have mental health and social challenges that make it difficult to interact with people. The recovery at rehabilitation can be boring, especially because it is a new lifestyle and the cravings for drugs are present. Using VR helps motivate such people to accept reality and persevere until they get well. They can watch the 3-dimensional movies of people who have gone through a similar experience and are now at their recovery stage. Alternatively, they can view the people hitting rock bottom due to substance abuse through the VR. Thus, the experiences use reinforcement and punishment strategies to influence positive behavior change.
Overall, VR has a wide range of usefulness in the healthcare sector, and its evaluation indicates that it has many advantages and a few drawbacks. Learning has been made incredibly easy because of the application of VR in training and education through real-life simulations. Students who have access to VR have more engagement and interactions as their learning is experimental. In treating mental and other functional issues, VR can calm patients down and develop new skills for handling their problems. There are several applications for planning and robotic assistance within the surgical sector. The sale of medical equipment has been made convenient with enhanced customization. The only drawback is affordability and standardization of its use, given that its use is not universal.
References
Aziz, H. A. (2018). Virtual reality programs applications in healthcare. Journal of Health & Medical Informatics, 09(01), 1-3.
Fertleman, C., Aubugeau-Williams, P., Sher, C., Lim, A., Lumley, S., Delacroix, S., & Pan, X. (2018). A discussion of virtual reality as a new tool for training healthcare professionals. Frontiers in Public Health, 6.
Halbig, A., Babu, S. K., Gatter, S., Latoschik, M. E., Brukamp, K., & Von Mammen, S. (2022). Opportunities and challenges of virtual reality in healthcare – A domain experts inquiry. Frontiers in Virtual Reality, 3(8), 1-22.
Pillai, A. S., & Mathew, P. S. (2019). Impact of virtual reality in healthcare. Advances in Psychology, Mental Health, and Behavioral Studies, 17-31.
Thomas, L. (2021). Applications of virtual reality in Medicine. News-Medical.net.