Everyone uses Google Maps these days to navigate unknown and sometimes known cities.
When looking for a specific location, have you checked out the 360-degree street view to get a glimpse of neighboring landmarks? Thanks to virtual reality (VR) technology, we can easily view streets, houses, and places from the comfort of our homes.
It comes as no surprise that such a tiny aspect of our lives is influenced by technology.
Do you know that 171 million people worldwide use VR in some form? That’s not all; around 75% of Forbes’ “World’s Most Significant Brands” use AR or VR. Companies and individuals are leaning toward virtual reality now more than ever.
Large gaming companies1 introduced virtual reality gaming systems as entertainment in the 1990s but weren’t popular among users. VR technology wasn’t prevalent until the 2010s2 when high-quality VR headsets with innovative graphics and motion-tracking technology were introduced. While the gaming industry has contributed to VR technology’s popularity, its scope isn’t limited to entertainment.
A recent report revealed that healthcare is one of the top industries leaning towards adopting VR technology3. The virtual reality market size in healthcare is estimated at USD 4.05 billion4 in 2024, and it is projected to grow at an average CAGR of 38.7% and reach USD 6.2 billion by 20295.
`This article will explore virtual reality in healthcare – its impact, benefits, and use cases in modern healthcare. Before we begin, let us explore virtual reality in healthcare.
What Is Virtual Reality in Healthcare?
Virtual Reality (VR) in healthcare refers to using immersive, computer-generated environments that can simulate real-world medical scenarios or create new therapeutic experiences. The use of VR headsets, coupled with additional sensory devices, aids in creating an immersive experience that is visual, auditory, and occasionally tactile for its users. The integration of VR in healthcare has been transformative, offering unexplored solutions for training, treatment, and patient engagement, so much so that about 62% of patients6 would lean towards virtual reality as an alternative to traditional healthcare. Let us uncover the impact of virtual reality in healthcare.
The Impact of Virtual Reality in Healthcare
Virtual reality (VR) has profoundly impacted the healthcare industry. Let’s explore how it is transforming healthcare and revolutionizing patient treatment.
Enhanced Medical Training & Education
One of VR’s most significant impacts on healthcare is enhanced medical training and education. Gone are the days when senior healthcare professionals shadowed their juniors to train and educate them. A landmark moment in this evolution was when Dr. Shafi Ahmed conducted the first VR surgery in 20167, the world’s first operation to be streamed live in a 360-degree video.
This VR surgery allowed medical students and professionals to immerse themselves in a realistic, immersive simulation of the actual procedure. With VR technology, medical professionals can receive training, practice procedures, and hone their skills without harming patients. Besides, these simulations offer detailed anatomical visualization and interactive scenarios that improve understanding and retention of medical knowledge.
Improved Patient Outcomes With Virtual Reality In Healthcare
In a pilot study conducted by St. George Hospital in London, patients were allowed to wear VR headsets before and during the surgery8. The outcome of this study was quite successful:
- 100% of patients claimed wearing the headsets improved their overall hospital experience.
- 94% cited that they felt more relaxed before and during the surgery.
- 80% claimed they were less susceptible to pain.
- 73% reported that they were less anxious during the surgery.
The study depicts how VR technology has shown remarkable potential in improving patient outcomes. VR creates immersive environments that distract patients from their pain, reducing the need for pain medication. Moreover, VR therapy is also used to treat mental health conditions like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and phobias. Patients are immersed in controlled, virtual environments that induce their fears to help them slowly confront them and effectively manage their fears and anxieties.
Cost Efficiency
A recent study9 focused on the cost benefits of implementing VR programs in hospitals. The results revealed that the cost savings per patient for the VR program versus usual care was $5.39. The study also showed that, on average, the hospital saved $98.49 per patient among those willing to try VR programs. For patients who were unwilling to or did not accept VR therapy, the hospital lost $16.90 per patient9.
The adoption of VR in healthcare can lead to significant cost savings. VR training programs reduce the need for physical equipment traditionally used in medical training, lowering costs and allowing for repeated practice without additional expenses.
In surgical planning, VR can reduce operation times and improve precision, leading to fewer complications and shorter hospital stays, lowering overall healthcare costs. Furthermore, VR-based rehabilitation programs can be conducted remotely, reducing the need for frequent hospital visits and associated costs.
Accessibility & Remote Care
While most people prefer in-person consultations, younger generations have shown an inclination toward virtual or digital consultations. 41% of Gen Z and 33% of millennials10 prefer virtual medical experiences to traditional, in-person hospital visits. The best part about VR technology is that it can make high-quality healthcare more accessible, especially in remote and underdeveloped regions.
VR can enable remote consultations and virtual visits, allowing patients to receive medical care without traveling a long distance. This is particularly beneficial for patients with mobility issues or those living far away from clinics and hospitals. Moreover, VR can enable remote training and education for healthcare professionals, ensuring they can access the latest medical knowledge and techniques regardless of location.
Patient Engagement & Satisfaction
83% of health professionals agree that virtual reality will create a new foundation for interaction, communication, and information11. VR in healthcare has a high potential to enhance patient engagement and satisfaction. It can be used to educate patients about their medical conditions and offer innovative treatment options through interactive and immersive experiences.
This helps patients better understand their health and make informed decisions about their care. Moreover, VR curates a more engaging and enjoyable experience for patients undergoing long-term treatment or rehabilitation, improving their overall satisfaction with the treatment process.
Applications of Virtual Reality in Healthcare
Virtual reality (VR) is revolutionizing various aspects of healthcare, offering innovative solutions across multiple domains. Here are a few applications of virtual reality in modern healthcare:
Pain Management
A randomized trial involving 179 people was conducted. Half of them used a VR device, and half used a traditional device within a two-dimensional environment. After eight weeks of treatment, the participants revealed that pain levels were reduced by more than half in 46% of those using the VR device compared with 26% of the other group12.
The trial depicts how VR has emerged as an effective tool for managing pain, particularly in patients undergoing medical procedures or dealing with chronic pain. By immersing patients in calming, engaging virtual environments, VR helps to distract them from their pain, reducing their perception of discomfort and often decreasing the need for pain medications.
Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy
In rehabilitation and physical therapy, VR provides interactive and engaging exercises that aid recovery. Patients recovering from strokes, surgeries, or injuries can benefit from VR-based rehabilitation programs that promote physical movement and cognitive engagement. These programs often feature gamified elements, making therapy sessions more enjoyable and motivating for patients, leading to better adherence and outcomes.
Medical Training
In a two-week study, medical students were randomly divided into two groups—one that underwent traditional medical training and the other that underwent VR-led training13. The students who underwent VR training performed better, with a 230% improvement13 compared to conventional training.
Moreover, VR-trained participants could complete the procedure faster than the traditionally trained group. They also performed better by accurately following the steps of the surgery. The study perfectly shows how VR transforms medical education by providing realistic, immersive simulations for training healthcare professionals.
Mental Health Therapy
VR is being increasingly used in mental health therapy, offering new approaches to treat conditions such as anxiety, PTSD, and phobias. A notable application is VR Exposure Therapy (VRET), where patients are gradually exposed to anxiety-provoking stimuli in a controlled virtual environment.
This method helps patients confront and manage their fears in a safe and controlled setting. VRET has a reported success rate of between 66% and 90% for those with PTSD14 and has shown promising results in treating various anxiety disorders, providing an effective and innovative alternative to traditional therapy methods.
Research also suggests that VR therapy could be used as an alternative to in-person therapy for people who have been diagnosed with social anxiety14 to ease them into therapy through a virtual setting.
We have covered in detail the impact of virtual reality on modern healthcare and how its application transforms critical aspects of healthcare, specifically mental health therapy. Here is where we step in!
XRHealth: Your Innovative Mental Health Care Partner!
XRHealth is a dedicated VR therapy platform for healthcare. We redefine therapeutic healthcare from patients to providers. Our eXperience Space platform utilizes VR for relaxation and mindfulness, enhancing patient care in clinical settings. We also enable patient engagement and outcomes with our groundbreaking virtual reality platform for therapists – the Mental Health Space.
That’s not all; we integrate immersive VR technology with advanced data analytics on one platform, aiding healthcare providers in delivering a comprehensive care solution for their patients. The platform offers specialized FDA-registered VR apps with over 140 VR environments catering to 16+ therapeutic areas and are reimbursable by Medicare. Our virtual clinics empower patients to receive care anytime, anywhere, provided by our licensed therapists using VR technology.
Experience the Power of VR Today!
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