VR: Medicine Revolution
What is Virtual reality?
VR is the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment which can be explored at 360 degrees. VR places the user in the virtual environment to give an immersive experience with the use of VR headsets.
How VR Improves Medical Training
1. Learn by Doing
Learning by doing results in 50% more engagement rate (Fatemi, 2020)
Improve performance by 17% (Fatemi, 2020)
ORamaVR is launching its MAGES SDK, a low-code platform with which companies can develop medical teaching simulations that put Unreal patients under the virtual knife. Similarly, Connect The Dots (CTD) created a virtual world with Unity to allow doctors to practice extensive procedural training.
VR training will come handy to learn how to perform tasks through “trial and error” method beforehand.
Research from the Norwegian University of Science shows how medical students are more engaged and have better recalls after training with VR headsets. VR is able to provide a safe method of teaching by experiencing.
2. Limit Fatal Mistakes
Advantages in training with VR include high level of fidelity because the training situation can be so realistic that feels like training in a real environment, especially after virtual patients “die” if the correct actions are not taken. This will limit the chance of making the same mistakes as in practice, when students will be facing real-life situation, they can can re-call practicing on a similar realistic situation in VR.
3. Cost Effective
After the upfront cost of buying VR Headsets and the software, there is no extra cost as the software can be used for multiple years with multiple students. In addition, VR training has no negative impact in learning outcomes. In fact, doctors from all over the world can join training in the virtual world without having to travel to different locations. The potential of VR training makes a huge impact especially in less-developed countries. Moreover, VR allows shared learning experience since students can perform individual and collaborative group tasks.
In conclusion…
Virtual reality tools have been proven beneficial in many field such as the Medical field. Virtual Reality Training can be an excellent addition to already existing practical training and this will allow for less fatal mistakes in surgeries as well as providing a more extensive medical education for students.
Unusual Technologies is expert in developing medical bespoke software for VR training. Please get in touch by emailing hello@unusualtechnologies.com or call + 44 7939834948 if you are interested in working with us.
References:
PwC (no date) What does virtual reality and the metaverse mean for training?, PwC. Available at: https://www.pwc.com/us/en/tech-effect/emerging-tech/virtual-reality-study.html (Accessed: October 27, 2022).
Ray Sipherd, C.N.B.C. (2018) The third-leading cause of death in us most doctors don’t want you to know about, CNBC. CNBC. Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/22/medical-errors-third-leading-cause-of-death-in-america.html (Accessed: October 27, 2022).
Unity (no date) How VR promises to revolutionize professional training, Unity Blog. Available at: https://blog.unity.com/community/how-vr-promises-to-revolutionize-professional-training (Accessed: October 27, 2022).
Fatemi, F. (2020, March 26). How to shift out of the Dark Ages of learning and development in the workplace. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/falonfatemi/2020/03/26/how-to-shift-out-of-the-dark-ages-of-learning-and-development-in-the-workplace/#58967eac666b