Virtual Reality Fascinatingly Taking over the USA Healthcare Industry

The greatest dreams of science fiction fans come true through virtual reality. Everything in fiction like Time travel, teleportation, exploration, even the parallel universe. We can say virtual reality has come a long way when it has made its way to healthcare. No one can say Physicians and patients are not open to technology. It is from their pleasure and demand virtual reality has made it so far.

Let us understand what virtual reality is. Virtual reality is a computer-generated image or environment that seems to be real. People can interact with the environment through special electronic equipment such as goggles, a helmet with a screen, and sensor gloves. Ivan Sutherland, an American computer scientist, invented the first virtual reality headset in 1968.

Initially, it brought alive fictitious books and movies into reality. Gradually it developed, being used in various other fields. From gaming to reality movies, virtual reality now is as cheap as $5 through Google cardboard. Statistics did not project VR to enter the healthcare industry. Now that it has come into the healthcare industry, it isn’t contributing to a minute level. Using virtual reality in healthcare is the most important element.

According to a survey, they estimate the USA Healthcare VR market to grow by 30.6% in the global market. They predict Virtual reality in the healthcare market to reach $101.4 by the end of 2020. Virtual reality has been a win-win segment in the healthcare industry recently. It supports healthcare providers, along with their patients.

Here are some of the most prominent events that virtual reality partakes in the Healthcare Industry:

Patient Composure

Just imagine spending hours and hours in a hospital before surgery or for treatment. We way pass the time where physical treatment was the only solution given. Now is when mental health takes over that aspect. Spending an enormous amount of time in a hospital can affect the mental state of a patient. Many healthcare settings have taken VR into the module to overcome the mental pressure and anxiety of a patient.

VR helps patients visualize a relaxing environment. The sad fact is 40% of the USA population is affected by a chronic illness. These patients spend over 40 hours of a month in healthcare institutions. Virtual Reality is helping an enormous number of patients cope through mental stress and gain composure.

Virtually Trained Surgeons

Surgeons are one of the most sophisticated doctors. They handle the crucial function of the healthcare industry. Surgeons spend 4 years of undergraduate study. 4 years of medical school, this leads to a degree. After this, they need to spend from 3 to 8 years of being an in-house surgeon. This is the most intensive preparation and quite a long journey.

Virtual reality has enlightened this journey of surgeons. Real-life surgeries from 4K quality at 360° filmed from multiple angles and then combined with CGI models of the anatomy being operated on to provide trainees with immersive & interactive training experience.

Empathizing with the Patient

Empathy plays one of the most important roles. It also is a big part of business, marketing, and profession. Without empathy, it is hard to produce a product or even sell it. Without knowing how the customer feels about the product, a marketer can never make a sale. Empathy puts us in the shoes of another. The same goes for doctors and their patients.

Young physicians and trainees experience how it feels to be in their patients shoes through virtual reality. There was a recent healthcare trade show, portraying how a migraine felt. They gave the audience of the show virtual reality headsets and made to experience the same sensations. Because of the Baby Boomers in the USA, many medical training institutions allowed new physicians to experience the life of an elderly person through virtual reality. This helps doctors understand and analyze the challenges.

Virtual Reality is the New Rehabilitation Center

Rehabilitation has become a necessity now to improve the day-to-day life of many. Rehabilitation has grown, inclusive of all the different types. Virtual Reality has become a positive enhancer of rehabilitation. Physical therapists are using virtual reality to help their patients cope with pain management and exercise through a gamified approach. The motive of this is to keep it more enjoyable and engaging.

80% of Opioid consumption is in the USA. This is another reason for the immense need for mental and physical rehabilitation. With virtual reality, therapists can help their patients cope faster, in an enhanced environment. Through virtual reality, patients can experience everything in one place instantly, without having to go there.

VR in Medical Marketing

VR was most popular at the beginning, only for medical marketing. Let us just say the motive has expanded after it entered the industry. VR is still used for medical marketing. VR is still the highlight in many medical trade shows, events, launches.

VR is being used to project the effects of age, diet, disease, and medicine use. Healthcare marketers are letting their consumers see themselves. Even looking at an old picture from five years ago is nostalgic. Imagine looking at yourself five weeks after a fitness session. This medical marketing through VR is taking marketers a step ahead of the rest.

The future of Healthcare with VR

Scientists say these are only the infancy productions of VR, and soon we will see more. Amid the pandemic crisis, the technology growth VR in healthcare is not projected to cease soon. The Healthcare industry is transforming and adapting to every new trend in the market. Healthcare is growing in every aspect, creating many opportunities for the economy and the social well-being of everyone.

The healthcare industry of the US is one of the biggest. The opportunities and requirements in this industry never seem to cease. The healthcare sector deals with human lives, making them want to adopt every new improvement and adapt to all the environmental changes. VR, being today’s most recent technological advancement, is transforming the healthcare sector.