VR gives trainee doctors the feel of real patients
Our exclusive report brings you the latest breakthroughs on how virtual and augmented reality technologies transform health care.
Virtual reality is often touted as a way of creating fantasy universes, but it could also turn out to be an effective way of teaching skills that are hard to practice in the real world.
Fundamental VR, based in London and Guildford, has added a haptics element to virtual reality to allow medics to train without having to test out their nascent skills on an actual patient. The system combines the HoloLens headset and the company’s software with a stylus connected to a standard-issue mechanical arm… (Read more)
NAU professor brings actual health care situations to virtual reality
Petra Williams, a professor of physical therapy at Northern Arizona University, is part of a diverse group of academics and clinicians throughout the country aiming to prepare health care professionals for challenging clinical environments through the use of immersive virtual reality. The goal is to use these immersive preality experiences to fill the gap between classroom simulation and clinical practice… (Read more)
Virtual reality helps patients sail through procedures
Children with hemophilia need to get stuck with needles constantly to get infusions — a scary experience. Now, thanks to the work of a Findlay native, they can escape their anxiety by immersing themselves in a world of pirates, dragons and penguins… (Read more)
Can virtual reality reduce high blood pressure at a church in South L.A.?
The Rev. Kelvin Sauls believes health and faith are two sides of the same coin. He’s collaborating with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to try to reduce high blood pressure in the community. The project has enrolled many of his congregants at Holman United Methodist Church and uses everything in the public health toolbox, including weekly dinners and classes, fitness trackers, nurse check-ins and even virtual reality… (Read more)
This virtual reality experience of being harassed outside an abortion clinic is eye-opening
Going to an abortion clinic can be a jarring experience. To shed much-needed light on this issue, the virtual reality film Across the Line, highlights abortion clinic harassment. Research from Planned Parenthood shows that viewing the film has actually created empathetic responses in viewers… (Read more)
This virtual reality app brings medical expertise to remote locations
Shortage of surgeons is a serious problem for the global health industry. According to a recent survey by American Association for Thoracic Surgery, a growing disparity is projected between the number of surgeons needed and the number available by 2035.
In order to help meet burgeoning future needs, Dr. Shafi Ahmed, a famous surgeon from UK’s Royal London Hospital has launched a new education platform to train surgeons remotely by using virtual reality and 360-degree video technologies… (Read more)
A new tool for neurosurgeons: VR Technology
Doctors at Stanford Health Care are using virtual reality technology as a sophisticated visual tool during brain surgery and to train future neurosurgeons… (Watch on WSJ)
Virtual reality is helping hospice patients check off their bucket lists
A charity hospice in London has enabled end-of-life patients to run with wild horses in Iceland, tour Venice’s canals aboard a gondola, go skydiving — all without leaving their beds. It’s all part of a pilot program at Royal Trinity Hospice that’s exploring the potential of using virtual reality for palliative care… (Read more)
MUHC takes augmented reality into the operating room
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is the first institution in North America to use augmented and mixed reality in sinus surgery. TGS integrates seamlessly with the operating room video endoscopy system and provides the clinical team with unique abilities to perform and observe the surgery… (Read more)
