Columbia Science Review
  • Home
  • About
    • Executive Board
    • Editorial Board
  • Blog
  • Events
    • 2022-2023
    • 2021-2022
    • 2020-2021
    • 2019-2020
    • 2018-2019
    • 2017-2018
    • 2016-2017
  • Publications
  • COVID-19 Public Hub
    • Interviews >
      • Biology of COVID-19
      • Public Health
      • Technology & Data
    • Frontline Stories >
      • Healthcare Workers
      • Global Health
      • Volunteer Efforts
    • Resources & Links >
      • FAQ's
      • Resource Hubs
      • Student Opportunities
      • Podcasts & Graphics
      • Mental Health Resources
      • Twitter Feeds
      • BLM Resources
    • Columbia Events >
      • Campus Events
      • CUMC COVID-19 Symposium
      • CSR Events
    • Our Team
  • Contact

A Glimpse into Virtual Reality’s Applications in Healthcare

2/21/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Illustrated by Tiffany Qian
By Angela Mu

When one considers the future of technology in healthcare, virtual reality (VR) is undoubtedly an exciting prospect that holds the potential to revolutionize the industry. Truly, the applications of VR extend far beyond entertainment and immersive and interactive game experiences.

​Through merely a headset and a couple of controllers, VR can immerse users in a virtual environment where they’re able to visualize and interact with elements in a simulated three-dimensional space. Not only can users see an entirely different world, but they may also be able to hear and feel the objects in the virtual environment through audio feedback and vibrations from the controllers. 


Perhaps one of the greatest uses of VR lies in its applications for education, whether it’s educating the general public or even facilitating training for surgeons and medical students. When it comes to bridging the gap between classroom and practice, VR can enable students to visualize concepts such as human anatomy more easily and see how every layer of muscles, bones, and organs is interconnected. Already, schools such as the University of California, San Francisco, Oxford University, and the University of Northampton have incorporated VR simulations in their curriculums to aid learning. 

Similar virtual simulations may also be used by doctors to plan and rehearse surgeries ahead of time. A study performed at the University of California, Los Angeles’s School of Medicine found that VR-trained surgeons demonstrated a 230 percent boost in their performance in comparison to those who were traditionally-trained—they had not only performed more efficiently, but also more accurately. 

VR may further help healthcare professionals and medical students develop empathy, a quality which is essential to forging authentic connections with patients. While healthcare workers are often approachable and friendly, it may be difficult for them to truly understand what patients are going through without having undergone those situations firsthand. Simulations may help caregivers to virtually experience various illnesses, identity biases, or real-life situations such as being the target of verbal abuse and domestic violence. 

For example, to help individuals understand macular degeneration, the VR simulation may place dark spots in the users’ field of view to blur their vision. A software developed by Embodied Labs also allows users to place themselves into the bodies of people of various identities, enabling caregivers to better recognize how misconceptions and biases may impact patients’ physical and mental health. Such an experience encourages caregivers to cultivate a more inclusive environment for patients of all backgrounds.

Applications of VR also extend to patient rehabilitation, as simulations may help patients overcome mental health afflictions. Through a method called therapeutic VR, relaxing and calming experiences may be crafted to help users destress, relieve anxiety, and treat depression. To assist those with PTSD, virtual experiences can re-expose these individuals to the source of their trauma while introducing relaxing scenarios to assuage their fears.

While the possibilities of VR remain endless, its scalability and wide application are hindered by the cost of the headset and other associated equipment. The bulkiness of the headset goggles and potential of inducing motion sickness also make it a less than ideal user experience. Nevertheless, the uses of VR extend across several industries, from aerospace and education to entertainment and business, deeming it an exciting prospect for the future of technology and healthcare.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Artificial Intelligence
    Halloween 2022

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    June 2022
    January 2022
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    July 2009
    May 2009

Columbia Science Review
© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Photos used under Creative Commons from driver Photographer, BrevisPhotography, digitalbob8, Rennett Stowe, Kristine Paulus
  • Home
  • About
    • Executive Board
    • Editorial Board
  • Blog
  • Events
    • 2022-2023
    • 2021-2022
    • 2020-2021
    • 2019-2020
    • 2018-2019
    • 2017-2018
    • 2016-2017
  • Publications
  • COVID-19 Public Hub
    • Interviews >
      • Biology of COVID-19
      • Public Health
      • Technology & Data
    • Frontline Stories >
      • Healthcare Workers
      • Global Health
      • Volunteer Efforts
    • Resources & Links >
      • FAQ's
      • Resource Hubs
      • Student Opportunities
      • Podcasts & Graphics
      • Mental Health Resources
      • Twitter Feeds
      • BLM Resources
    • Columbia Events >
      • Campus Events
      • CUMC COVID-19 Symposium
      • CSR Events
    • Our Team
  • Contact