Augmented Integration in Healthcare

As I write this article, the war to fix Obamacare is raging between the House and the Senate. A major headline in the news today is that premiums will double again this year. Perhaps, we are missing the forest for the trees. Could Augmented Reality help reduce medical expenses and empower medical professionals?

There are applications on the client side as well as the professional end that are changing the way healthcare looks. The first example is a simple AR solution that shows in 3D detail, where the nearest defibrillators are located. That is pretty handy in an emergency. I am a former Red Cross trainer, and can't emphasize how problematic it is to locate one when you need it. When AR is more integrated with the masses, this will prove to be an incredible lifesaving development.

Or take an AR resource like AccuVein that helps nurses more accurately locate veins in their patients. I would have loved for my last nurse to have this, since she left a bruise on my arm that lasted for 10 days.

One of my favorite developments is Medsights tech that provides real-time 3D guidance for surgeons. This is good news for everyone, as it improves accuracy and shortens the time of the average surgery procedure. This is an excellent example of how AR can reduce healthcare costs. In fact, AR surgical microscopes are now in development, also drastically improving the time and accuracy. Leica Microsystems is leading the way as well as others as referenced in this article on AR healthcare integration.

Even in training and development, AR and VR have a huge role to play. This week, The University of Nebraska Medical Center announced a $119 million technology facility that will incorporate AR, VR and Holographic imagery among other things. These sort of training facilities will develop a more advanced understanding through an interactive model. There are others in development as well.

Combining AI with AR will be a powerful tool in the near future of healthcare. Just this week, CNBC published this outlook on the integration of AI in the medical field. All of these are just steps towards a total transformation of healthcare as we know it. Augmented healthcare is not just a futuristic concept, it is already underway. What an exciting time for healthcare, even when the political scene looks hopeless!