Introduction to VR-based training
VR-based training has gained an increased importance in the field of medical education by providing interactive experience. Generally, virtual reality is an emerging and innovative approach for training various medical professionals. The technology allows both practitioners and students in distinct medical fields to access and enhance medical procedures. This medical training with VR technology depends on real-world patient interaction and sometimes provides practice in a free environment (SAMADBEIK et al., 2018). It offers crucial skills regarding diagnostic analysis, surgical techniques, and anatomy recognition. It also provides a successful implementation through a VR system and revolutionizes medical education. Moreover, it offers a cost-effective and adaptable platform for training and improving healthcare outcomes using VR.
Benefits of VR-based training for healthcare professionals
Virtual reality for remote learning
As medical professionals evolve their skills with new enhancements in healthcare. In this case, there is a challenge to find enhancement of education and training with full-time practice. The virtual reality has an emerged solution to enable real-time, interactive learning without any constraints. This allows specialists to connect with various collaborative efforts despite any physical distance. VR has the transformation of traditional online education with an immersive experience and offers 3D simulations for creating opportunities of hands-on. Moreover, it enables schedule development without any geographical restriction. Also, it enhances remote learning opportunities for new medical practitioners and develops new techniques in the procedures.
Hands-on learning experience with virtual reality
However, tactical training opportunities are limited, especially in the case of high-risk procedures. The VR technology enhances new solutions by offering both medical professionals and students the ability to practice the procedures without causing any risk to patients (Mantovani, Castelnuovo, Gaggioli, & Riva, 2003). VR particularly engages 3D models in performing surgeries. These virtual exercises provide a realistic experience to the medical professionals and enhance the sense of presence of the trainees.
Virtual reality for remote collaboration
In the case of the medical field, collaboration between education, training, and patient care is possible. Virtual reality addresses the need for virtual space for healthcare professionals and exchange knowledge in real-time. It provides great benefits, particularly for specialist teams and consultations in remote areas. Particularly, the VR-based collaboration saves both time and travel costs.
Virtual reality for high-risk medical training
In fact, the training for high-risk procedures involves serious consequences in the medical field. Virtual reality allows the practice of life-saving procedures and saves the life. Virtual reality replicates real-time scenarios such as high-pressure situations and creates necessary actions to respond (Pottle, 2019). This training not only provides practice but also ensures to avoidance of costly mistakes in real-world emergencies.
VR-Based training
Challenges of VR-based training in the healthcare system
High cost
The development and implementation of virtual reality-based training involves high costs, particularly for smaller organizations. However, the technology becomes more sophisticated, and the cost increases with the implementation of various software.
Integration with the traditional education system
There are various offers with virtual reality to replace traditional methods in the medical field. It needs a special practice to integrate with existing systems such as patient interaction, clinical practices, and lectures.
Technological complexity
As virtual reality is an advanced technology, there are limitations involved in areas such as feedback, complexity, and procedures (Steen, Söderström, Stensrud, & Nylund, 2024). Thus, these require more training and detailed simulation.
Future of virtual reality in medical training and education
Enhanced medical education and training
Although virtual reality is already an essential tool in the field of education, furthermore there are iterations and dynamic simulations. There is also a new system with adaptations and creating more realistic scenarios (Lewis, 2024). Additionally, virtual reality is used for teenage simulation and healthcare professionals to practice more and communicate.
Innovative cognitive and psychological therapies
Furthermore, the use of virtual reality in treating psychological conditions may expand with tailored experience. For example, virtual reality is used to recreate the experience of patients with Alzheimer’s to stimulate memory recall create a personalized therapeutic environment for the people, and offer control space for healing and treatment.
Chronic disease management
Virtual reality plays a key role in educating patients with chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. With proactive and interactive engagement lessons that demonstrate the effect of lifestyle choices help the VR to better manage the conditions ensure self-care routines and promote better treatment plans for the medical professionals.
Future of medical training
Conclusion
Virtual reality has immense potential to transform the medical system and training to the medical professionals in the healthcare system. The VR enables the healthcare system to enhance essential skills without any restrictions on traditional training methods. In conclusion, it gives more practice for surgical procedures, diagnostic abilities, and studying of human anatomy. The VR has proved a valuable tool for boosting the medical efficiency and ensuring the patient safety. There are also real-world scenarios that enhance the virtual settings for professionals to practice and refine their skills. Furthermore, the VR’s immersive and practical nature engages practitioners and students to be more captivating.
References
Lewis, K. (2024, Apr 19). Virtual Reality (VR) in Healthcare: Current & Future Uses. Retrieved from Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/virtual-reality-vr-healthcare-current-future-uses-kevin-lewis-wwipc
Mantovani, F., Castelnuovo, G., Gaggioli, A., & Riva, G. (2003). Virtual Reality Training for Health-Care Professionals. Cyberpsychology & behavior: the impact of the Internet, multimedia and virtual reality on behavior and society, 6(4), 389-395. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5815196_Virtual_Reality_Training_for_Health-Care_Professionals
Pottle, J. (2019). Virtual reality and the transformation of medical education. Future Healthc J., 6(3), 181-185. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6798020/
SAMADBEIK, M., YAAGHOBI, D., BASTANI, P., ABHARI, S., REZAEE, R., & GARAVAND, A. (2018). The Applications of Virtual Reality Technology in Medical Groups Teaching. J Adv Med Educ Prof, 6(3), 123-129. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6039818/
Steen, C. W., Söderström, K., Stensrud, B., & Nylund, I. B. (2024). The effectiveness of virtual reality training on knowledge, skills and attitudes of health care professionals and students in assessing and treating mental health disorders: a systematic review. BMC Medical Education, 24(1), 1-13. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380265083_The_effectiveness_of_virtual_reality_training_on_knowledge_skills_and_attitudes_of_health_care_professionals_and_students_in_assessing_and_treating_mental_health_disorders_a_systematic_review
Keywords
Virtual Reality, Medical professionals, VR-Based training, Practical experience, Healthcare professionals
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