Edition 4: VR in Digital Health
This week, we're diving into the wild world of virtual reality (VR) in healthcare, where headsets aren't just for gamers anymore! Picture this: a surgeon "practicing" your operation in a virtual OR, a patient managing pain through an immersive beach scene, and therapists creating safe spaces for patients to tackle fears. VR is transforming healthcare from pain management to physical therapy, offering a future where recovery might be as engaging as a VR quest.
Curious about the next big trends and how VR could impact mental health, training, and even routine check-ups? Pop on your virtual goggles (or just keep reading) and let’s explore this exciting healthcare revolution. Spoiler alert: The future of medicine might just be one headset away!
VP Product Operations & Strategy, PlaySpace
Virtual Reality—The Universal Language In Healthcare
Virtual reality (VR) is transforming healthcare by making medical information clear and accessible. Traditionally, patients struggled to interpret complex MRI or CT scans. Now, VR allows them to see immersive, 3D views of their own anatomy, bridging language and knowledge gaps. Companies like apoQlar medical and XRHealth are leading VR innovations for patient education, surgical planning, and therapy. While VR adoption involves high costs and training, it’s empowering patients to take an active role in their care, marking a shift toward a more personalized, patient-centered healthcare experience.
Montreal doctors develop a virtual reality tool that could save children's lives
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Montreal doctors have developed PeTIT VR, a virtual reality tool designed to train medical teams worldwide in handling pediatric trauma. Created at McGill University, the tool simulates emergency room scenarios, allowing doctors to practice life-saving skills in a realistic, immersive environment without the need for costly mannequins or travel. This training is especially valuable for remote hospitals with limited pediatric trauma cases. PeTIT VR emphasizes teamwork and communication, which are crucial in trauma care. Currently in testing, the tool has gained international interest and aims to reduce child fatalities from accidents by improving rapid-response skills.
Full Quote: "VR has an unmatched level of immersion that can help patients in many applications, like therapy and rehab, and can also provide risk-free training for clinicians. It also allows patients to get high-quality care from wherever they want without a clinician needing to be next to them. I truly believe VR can revolutionize healthcare in the coming years by making it much more accessible to everyone!"
CEO, Pragmatica
A couple great companies in the space worth checking out:
Pragmatica is a virtual platform designed to help users practice language and communication skills intensively, right from home. In a virtual world, users complete short exercises that feel just like the ones they’d do in speech therapy sessions, with helpful tips and feedback along the way to guide them as they refine their skills. All progress is tracked and shared with their clinician asynchronously, making it easy for users to get the support they need at their own pace. Pragmatica’s mission is to make language therapy tools affordable and accessible for everyone, no matter where they are.
AnomieXR is on a mission to make mental health care more approachable and stigma-free by using VR to help clients explore their emotions, shift perspectives, and tackle challenges. This unique tool connects clients in a VR headset with their clinicians, who guide them from a browser, whether they’re working together remotely or in person. Clients can draw and create in a totally immersive, distraction-free space that feels safe and empowering, letting them lead the way while their clinician supports every step.