An article written by Laura Limonta – Medical Doctor with Training in Virtual Reality Solutions for Healthcare at Uptale
Virtual Reality has become an increasingly popular and widely used tool in the medical field. By offering interactive virtual environments, this approach offers a unique and attractive solution for training students, educating patients and enhancing the skills of healthcare professionals.
Which immersive technology to choose?
The two main options for immersive learning are 3D modeling and 360-degree media. With 3D modeling, you can immerse yourself in detail, practice very precise gestures, simulate surgical operations, notice things that are usually invisible, and observe body parts that are difficult to access.
Uptale uses 360° and Virtual Reality, an easily customizable, deployable and intuitive solution for effective teaching. In the medical sector, practice is essential but difficult to implement without risk to patients and without monopolizing qualified personnel or equipment.
A concrete example of the implementation of Virtual Reality for medical training is the morphine titration simulation at the UFR Simone Veil at UVSQ, where students can put themselves in the shoes of a healthcare professional responsible for several patients in pain.
This immersive experience enables students to develop their skills and confidence in real-life situations. At UFR Simone Veil, 90% of students had never had a simulation on this subject before, and most had never seen or performed the procedure. 80% knew how to explain, and while 25% knew how to proceed, 96%, almost all of them, didn’t feel ready.
Positive feedback from students underlines the effectiveness of the immersive experience and its ease of use:
Virtual Reality beyond learning
Virtual reality offers a unique immersive experience that goes beyond learning. It has a wide range of applications, such as the doctor-patient relationship in pediatrics, telemedicine, geriatric care, engagement and even as a complement to psychological and psychiatric treatments (phobias, anxiety, paranoia…). Today, there are numerous studies showing the effectiveness of virtual reality for these applications, which are still relatively unexplored in France.
For example, according to the study “Virtual Reality-Based Intervention for Theory of Mind in Schizophrenia: Preliminary Efficacy Results” published in November 2022, VR treatment of schizophrenic deficit Theory of Mind (ToM) showed considerable and lasting improvements after three months, compared with the control group.
This exciting technology opens up new perspectives in the medical sector for education, training and healthcare. We look forward to seeing how VR will help optimize training, care and much more.
A multidisciplinary team at the service of Virtual Reality in healthcare
At Uptale, we believe in the power of Virtual Reality to enhance the medical learning and training experience. Our multidisciplinary team works together to offer solutions tailored to each individual and to meet the specific needs of the medical field. Contact us to find out how Uptale can enhance your medical learning and training experience.
Laura Limonta – Medical Doctor with Training in Virtual Reality Solutions for Healthcare
Research:
Atiyeh Vaezipour, James A. Fowler, Trevor G. Russel, Michele Sterling – Psychological therapy using virtual reality for treatment of driving phobia: a systematic review: Disability and Rehabilitation: Vol 45, No 10
Johan Lundin, Anders Lundström, Jan Gulliksen, Joakim Blendulf, Kersti Ejeby, Hedda Nyman, Daniel Björkander and Erik Hedman-Lagerlöf – Using 360-degree videos for virtual reality exposure in CBT for panic disorder with agoraphobia: a feasibility study | Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy | Cambridge Core
Edit Vass, Viktória Simon, Gábor Csukly, Zita Fekete, Balázs Kis, Lajos Simon – Virtual reality-based theory of mind intervention in schizophrenia: Preliminary efficacy results – ScienceDirect
Elham Monaghesha, Taha Samad-Soltania, Sara Farhang –Virtual reality-based interventions for patients with paranoia: A systematic review – ScienceDirect
