The Future of Medical Education: Virtual Reality Transforms Learning

by Annabelle Stephenson
in *DE, *JP, *RU, *TR, News, VR, xCS, xNL, xRS, xSV
on 24 January 2024

Virtual Reality Revolutionizes Medical Education

Imagine a classroom filled with 90 first-year medical students preparing for their first anatomy class. Traditionally, this class would be conducted live and in person, with students crowding around an operating table, trying to catch a glimpse of the instructor’s demonstrations. However, things have changed.

In this new classroom, the procedure is real, but it has been pre-recorded using a full-angle camera. Multiple cameras capture different and intimate perspectives, creating an immersive experience for the students. By wearing virtual reality (VR) headsets, students can choose their preferred view, “look” around the room, ask questions, and actively participate instead of passively observing. With VR gloves equipped, they can even pick up instruments and feel a sense of touch.

The educational environment in VR is rich and immersive, providing each student with a personalized learning experience. The best part is that after the lecture, if students didn’t fully understand something or want to review the material again, they can retake the same course as many times as they need.

Beyond medical school – Continued education

Virtual reality is not limited to universities and medical students. Hospitals around the world are embracing VR for further education. For instance:

– A specialized surgeon in a hospital on the US West Coast is using VR to train other surgeons in performing innovative procedures for restoring sensation through microsurgery on nerve endings.
– The leading clinical hospital in New York City utilizes VR to train residents in both hard and soft skills at their convenience.
– Realistic simulations have been created in hospitals across the United States, Europe, and Asia to certify providers in advanced life support, peritoneal dialysis, or even develop strategies for managing aggression in emergency rooms.

It appears that VR is gaining significant momentum within the medical community. In fact, a recent survey conducted among healthcare professionals in the United States revealed that:

– 85% consider themselves familiar with immersive training tools.
– 64% believe there is currently more interest in immersive technology than three years ago.
– 77% have noticed their healthcare organization has implemented (34%) or plans to implement (43%) VR technology.

While there is enthusiasm for VR in healthcare, the survey also identified budget constraints (46%) as the biggest hurdle to implementing this technology. However, VR may prove to be more cost-effective in the long run compared to traditional training methods, despite the initial investment.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What was the instructor’s role in the described VR educational environment?
– The instructor was guiding first-year medical students through the first section of the human anatomy course.

2. What benefits does VR bring to medical education?
– VR provides a personalized and active learning experience for each student. It allows them to “look around” the room, ask questions, and actively participate in the class. After the lecture, students can retake the course if needed.

3. Who else, besides medical students, uses VR technology in education?
– Many hospitals worldwide utilize VR for further education. For example, a hospital on the US West Coast uses VR to train surgeons in innovative procedures, and the leading clinical hospital in New York City employs VR for resident training.

4. What are some examples of VR usage in hospitals?
– Realistic simulations using VR have been created to certify providers in advanced life support, peritoneal dialysis, and strategies for managing aggression in emergency rooms.

5. What is the main obstacle to implementing VR in healthcare?
– Budget constraints, as indicated by a survey among healthcare professionals in the US.

DEFINITIONS

VR (Virtual Reality) – A technology that enables users to fully immerse themselves in a virtual environment, giving them the sensation of being present in a different place and time.