Virtual Reality in the Medical world
- By (6 articles)
Virtual Reality in the Medical world
With new cutting-edge Virtual Reality technology, we now have the ability to view the inside of the human body which is incredibly useful for doctors, but also for patients. VR allows patients to be taken through their surgical plan by virtually stepping into a patient-specific 360° VR reconstruction of their anatomy & pathology. This in the end gives a better and more enhanced understanding of the treatment needed, and consequently a higher patient satisfaction. It's incredibly useful for medical students in training as it can allow them to actually experience the content they need to learn and understand. For example, they can go inside a beating heart and listen to heart sounds as they watch blood flow within the heart.
VR is not only helpful to the doctor or student; it is also helping patients in many different ways. In some hospitals and clinics, your doctor can already prescribe a visit to a VR world to ease your anxiety or pain or to explain a complex medical procedure or condition. Patients having to undergo chemotherapy can feel very uncomfortable and be put under a lot of stress, so in using VR during this process, patients can be distracted by putting on the headset to find themselves in a flower-filled meadow, a winter forest, or on a peaceful beach.
This method also helps young children as doctors can also use VR to explain complex procedures to them and their parents. For example, children who are set to undergo brain surgery, use the technology to “fly” through 3D images of their own brain as their surgeon explains exactly what will happen during their procedure. They think of it just like a video game, using a joystick to zoom in through corridors in their brain, look at their tumor, and view things upside down. This enables the kids to become part of the process, taking away the fear and giving them a better understanding whilst using fun tactics, like being able to name their tumor after an evil superhero, going after it and destroying it.
Virtual Reality in the medical world is still in its early stages of development but from what we’ve seen so far, the possibilities are endless. It not only brings a whole new world to patients in need of escapism and guidance but will take the training of doctors and nurses to a whole new level for future generations.
At IELTS Medical, we are implementing VR into training our doctors and nurses from around the world. This is still in the development process but it will soon be implemented. We provide the best possible training and experience to work in the medical industry in the UK. If you would like to see more study tips, news and innovations keep an eye out for our latest blog. If you would like to book a course please visit our website or give us a call on 02036376722
