XR in Healthcare

23 Aug 2024

XPANCEO

The global digital healthcare market is expected to exceed $430 billion by 2028. One of its main drivers is the steady adoption of new technologies, with a considerable role played by XR. Our new article shares diverse scenarios on how XR can boost education, productivity, and training in the healthcare industry.

Extended Reality (XR), which merges virtual and real-world environments, is revolutionizing the delivery of acute and long-term care to patients in remote locations. Numerous organizations are actively striving to enhance the scalability of XR technologies in the healthcare sector. This article serves as an introduction to XR technologies in healthcare simulation, highlighting their numerous advantages and benefits.

Training and education:

UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention: The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention has implemented an XR-based medical training program that simulates surgical procedures and other medical scenarios. The training program helps doctors and other medical professionals develop their skills and gain experience in a safe and controlled environment.
In the UK, Touch Surgery is an AR surgical training tool that allows surgeons to practice surgeries on virtual patients, providing a safe environment for medical students to learn with step-by-step guidance.
Oxford Medical Simulation uses VR and AR technologies to provide a platform for medical students to practice decision-making in emergency situations. It allows students to experience medical emergencies in a realistic environment, which is difficult to replicate using traditional simulation methods.
In 2020, Ajou University School of Medicine in Korea introduced an AR-based training system for medical students. The system uses AR technology to simulate the human anatomy in 3D, enabling students to practice invasive procedures such as laparoscopic surgery, endoscopy, and bronchoscopy.

Assistance:

Proximie is an AR platform that allows remote surgery by connecting surgeons in different locations using AR technology. It enables surgeons to collaborate, consult with each other, and provide guidance during complex medical procedures. For example, Proximie Joints helps orthopedic surgeons during joint replacement procedures. The program allows surgeons to accurately map and plan the surgery in advance, then projects the plan onto the operating table to guide them.
Hanyang University Hospital in Korea has been using an AR system to help guide spinal surgery since 2017. The system uses a camera and special glasses to project virtual images onto the patient's body, allowing the surgeon to see the patient's spine in real-time.
The Samsung Medical Center in Seoul developed an AR-assisted nasal endoscopy system in 2019. The system combines an endoscope with AR tools to create a 3D model of the nasal cavity, allowing physicians to navigate and identify anatomical structures with greater precision.
Seoul National University Bundang Hospital uses an AR-based navigation system for knee replacement surgery. The system utilizes a headset that projects a 3D image of the patient's knee, allowing the surgeon to improve the accuracy of bone cuts and prosthetic positioning. The system has reduced surgery time and improved patients' post-operative recovery.

Therapy:

MIRA Rehab employs games-based rehabilitation therapy to assist people in recovering from medical procedures or accidents. It utilizes both VR and AR technologies to create an entertaining environment that helps patients forget about the medical aspect of their recovery. MIRA is a digital platform that employs motion tracking sensors to gamify physical therapy and increase patient compliance.
The UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced its plans to introduce Virtual Reality (VR) rehabilitation in physiotherapy for stroke patients, individuals with balance disorders, and children with developmental disorders, cerebral palsy, and Parkinson's syndrome. Scientific studies have proven the effectiveness of this innovative technique in the rehabilitation and treatment of many such cases. In the treatment of balance disorders, virtual reality serves as a safe and effective alternative to conventional therapy, improving patients' balance. Patients reported enjoying VR therapy without experiencing side effects, and with increased motivation.
Virtofy is another AR-based platform used for physical therapy and rehabilitation. The platform provides patients with interactive exercises that utilize AR to offer feedback and guidance.

In a nutshell, XR plays an important role in education, training for medical stuff and serves and great interface between doctors and patients. The high cost of mistakes remains a factor even for trained professionals. AR tools that can guide doctors and nurses through routine processes can save time, help avoid errors, and improve the accessibility of these procedures for patients.