Has all the hype about virtual reality intrigued you? You may have come across virtual reality (VR) on your radar screen some way. Maybe you've only heard about it in bits and pieces or you have tried it yourself. Virtual reality isn't for kids are most people infer.
So what's going on with VR? How does it work? What impact is it having on your brain? After Edward, a good friend shared his hands-on experience with webVR I was beguiled by the impact this technology could have. He really explained to me in a way I was able to understand. I decided to look into it and found a great video from The Good Stuff YouTube channel. It explains why it's so darn fun.
Impact in healthcare..
What if your surgeon told you that they've stood inside of a human heart? Your first intuition would probably tell them they are crazy. It's obviously insane but then you remember that technology is a thing and it is applied in so many fascinating ways. Next thing is they are bringing in a headset and it's been put over your eyes. Suddenly you are staring at a human heart. The surgeon shows you the issue and what they'll be doing to fix it, and why. Thanks to Standford Virtual Heart, you will be able to walk through first hand.
It's not only one of our most crucial organs but its complexities too. Apart from the heart keeping that beat for years, the process it undergoes to form 'utero' (a heart defect) that leaves a lot of space for abnormality. The heart is a difficult organ to study in action considering the person needs to be on the table with their chest open.
How VR comes in..
Pediatric cardiologist utilize VR to make it easy to communicate and understand what is happening with these complicated heart defects. VR has so many benefits and we have written about it before but this may just be the one application that can affect each and every one of us. We use VR in gaming and other aspects of lives. When it comes to understanding our own human bodies, there isn't enough information. If this topic is a digestible way outside of the classroom, the quality of life can increase as extraneous confusion decreases.
A lot of the applications are still in their infancy as well as VR on a whole. The potential for VR in healthcare sector is huge.
Robotic surgery
This is a recent innovation in which surgery is performed using a robotic, e.g robotic arm which is controlled by a human. This means fewer risks of complications and a faster surgery. Robot device is accurate and helps in faster recovery.
Mental Health & Psychotherapy
The ability of VR to transport you somewhere else can be used to create powerful simulations of the situations in which psychological issues occur. No need for a therapist to accompany a client on a trip. These scenarios can be created with this technology. VR could also be used to curb memory loss and help autistic children in the classroom.
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| Teaching surgery in VR |
Physical Therapy
The healing capabilities aren't limited to psychological issues but have been proved to work for pain management. It helps in speeding up recovery time allowing patients to do their prescribed daily exercises in a virtual environment makes the activity more fun.
So what do you think?
As fun as it is to watch your friend crawl around your living room with some funny goggles, it will be more fun if people could be involved and experiencing the same thing. I am most excited by all the possibilities that advanced technology like VR presents. Stay open to new possibilities!