Among the many benefits of virtual reality in healthcare is the fact that the technology is used to aid in the delivery of care. Whether it be for patients undergoing surgery or for a physician interacting with a patient, virtual reality technology can help reduce stress and anxiety in a variety of ways. It can also improve the understanding of complicated anatomical structures.
Reduced pain and anxiety
Using immersive virtual reality (VR) in healthcare has the potential to improve patient satisfaction during surgical procedures. It has also been shown to reduce pain and anxiety.
The present study will provide an overview of current evidence for VR as an anxiolytic. In addition, it will evaluate the effectiveness of VR in the context of a quality improvement project that translates research into practice.
The study was conducted at a large urban tertiary care medical center in the Southeastern United States. A total of 460 participants were recruited. One group of patients used VR throughout the procedure, while the other group received standard care. Both groups reported significantly less pain and anxiety compared to the pre-procedure level.
Several studies investigated the effect of VR on child pain and anxiety. These studies were mostly conducted in the area of burn care, but they also evaluated pediatric dental care and tumour care. Among the results, virtual reality was found to be significantly more effective than CAU.
Improved 3D understanding of complex anatomical structures
Using virtual reality (VR) has the potential to provide a 3D understanding of complex anatomic structures. This can be used for surgical planning, surgical intervention and patient education. However, VR is not without its limitations. It is also possible that the use of the technology may lead to better results, but it is not clear how the tool can help in this area.
The use of digital technologies in modern anatomy has increased dramatically in the last five years. New digital resources have been developed that demonstrate a good correlation with cadaveric materials. In addition, 3D-VR-based teaching is being promoted to improve student learning outcomes.
This study investigated student experience with 3D-VR in comparison with traditional anatomy teaching methods. A convergent mixed methods design was used to evaluate the short-term and long-term knowledge retention scores. In addition, a subgroup of students who participated in the VR environment were asked questions to assess subjective validity.
Helped doctors empathize with patients
Using virtual reality simulations has helped doctors empathize with patients. Having a deeper understanding of their experiences, patients and families can help improve patient outcomes.
Having an empathetic bedside manner can reduce patient complaints, lawsuits and recovery time. A doctor’s empathy is often the driving force behind the best possible treatment for a patient.
There are several studies that have attempted to quantify the effects of VR on empathy. Most of the studies were small, with just a few subjects. Most used different scales to measure empathy and were not designed to assess practice behaviors or long-term benefits. However, all of the studies reported increased empathy in participants.
Besides being an effective tool for training doctors, virtual reality has other benefits. The technology is affordable, easy to use, and helps physicians learn new technologies without having to travel to distant locations.
There are currently several companies that have developed virtual reality simulators. These are being used in hospitals, hospices, and other health care settings.
VR technology helps patients manage stress
Using VR technology to help patients manage stress in healthcare is a promising approach. It is easy to use and can help people with medical conditions such as anxiety, depression, and pain. A virtual reality headset can transport patients to a peaceful place, allowing them to relieve their anxiety while staying focused on their care.
The Journal of Medical Signals and Sensors recently published a study that looked at the effectiveness of using VR to reduce stress. The study measured the subjective patient-reported outcomes of using a 3-minute immersive video. The research found that patients who used VR were 30% less distressed. In addition, they experienced a reduction in fatigue and depression.
One medical facility, Cedars-Sinai, has been using VR to help patients manage their anxiety. The facility offers an in-patient VR program and an outpatient program. The in-patient program consists of wearing a headset for 15 minutes each day.
The company also offers Nature VR software, which allows patients to explore nature and learn to deal with pain and anxiety. This type of therapy is designed to help children who are undergoing brain surgery.
