Virtual Technology Review in Healthcare
Virtual reality (VR), is the capability to interact with an environment or object digitally reproduced in a way that mimics an actual experience. In healthcare settings, this technology is used to improve movement for rehabilitation patients or to help relax and distract during medical procedures. However, VR is still in the early stages of implementation and acceptance within the practice of medicine. This article is an overview of the barriers and facilitators to the implementation VR in healthcare settings.
The majority of the obstacles identified in this study were related to the adoption system and organization categories of the NASSS framework, specifically the need of healthcare professionals for education and training in VR, the lack of research and evidence regarding the added value of iptech.one VR in the treatment context, and the perceived low self-efficacy and confidence in applying and use VR during the course of patient care. Several studies have recommended using methods of behavioral change, such as education and training or intervision groups to aid clinicians in their decision-making processes regarding VR.
Facilitators are not often identified due to the age of patients who may be more open to new technology and more comfortable with it. Also, the fact that VR offers an immersive and interactive experience which stimulates the senses and promotes an understanding of more complex scientific concepts. VR’s ability to simulate real-world situations, like the surface or structure of atoms, can be a powerful educational tool that lets students explore and experiment with abstract and complex ideas.
