Amalgamation of real world and virtual world which provides a real experience in the form of illusion is augmented reality. Virtual reality which depends on computer devices is based on the orientation of the user’s body and eyeball movement. As far as healthcare industry is concerned augmented and virtual reality have tremendous potential.
Here are some benefits of augmented and virtual reality:
Augmented reality helps preserve prescriptions and guidelines
It is a normal human tendency to do away with paper prescriptions and guidelines as time passes. With augmented reality the patients can scan the information from the package. Patients and healthcare professionals can conveniently access the information about the drug whenever they require.
Augmented reality for education
Augmented reality is one of the best ways in which professors and medical students can communicate. Students can access the medical models remotely by simply scanning the custom trackers. Augmented brochures regarding new therapies and new medicines can be given to medical practitioners. AR is thus an effective new way of training healthcare professionals and students.
AR is an effective mode of communication
This is one of the most effective ways of communicating with employees and investors and associates in the healthcare industry. AR can also be used to create useful marketing content and can be used effectively against competitors.
AR helps get rid of heavy catalogues
Design phase involves creating a large number of prototypes of packaging and display stuff. This is both expensive and time consuming, but something that just cannot be avoided. With the use of AR, one can access all the relevant information from the mobile design and there is no need of carrying a heavy catalogue.
Virtual reality helps patients take charge of their health
Several medical practitioners are trying to make virtual reality or VR more patients friendly. Efforts are being put to create apps that connect the patient to expert medical guidance which is comparable to that they would get at a healthcare center. In certain medical centers the technology is being used to treat anxiety related problems which help the patients handle trauma in a better way. VR helps patients get medical literature on demand, which can be almost similar to the recommendations of the medical professional. This technology helps in making the patients smart and helps in keeping them well-informed.
VR is very useful for risky medical procedures
Medical surgeries require a high-level of precision as one small mistake can even prove to be fatal. VR helps surgeons avoid such mistakes by avoiding the critical structures, as this technology provides them the complete view of the internal organs.
VR can be used successfully for intra-operative procedures, clean up processes, full body tracking etc. It also helps in training healthcare professionals about medical procedures and protocols. VR helps in improving the patient’s safety and also gives a boost to the confidence of the healthcare professionals.
VR is worth the money invested
The initial costs of investing in high end technology like surgical theaters etc can be expensive, but over the period, one will reap the benefits of the money invested. VR will help in cutting down costs by as one will have to spend less on medical equipment and it will also help in speeding up certain medical procedures. Hence it will definitely prove its worth over a period of time.
AR and VR have a large number of applications in the healthcare industry. They have a great future, as they help in educating the healthcare professionals and patients and also bring down risks involved in medical procedures. No wonder it is estimated that these industries will be worth billions of dollars by the end of 2020.