Scientists adapt VR tech for use in remote medical consults 🎮

🩺 Virtual Reality (VR) technology is now being adapted for remote medical consultations - another giant leap forward in telemedicine!

🎮 Researchers at the University of Canterbury are developing a VR headset that enables doctors to conduct detailed medical assessments - especially beneficial for those located in rural areas or with infectious diseases or volatile mental health conditions.

👀 The VR system prioritizes the ability to capture and transmit eye-contact and facial expressions, creating a stronger connection between clinician and patient during remote consultations.

🙌 Compared to typical video or phone consultations, this VR-based approach offers a much more immersive experience. It allows patients to feel physically present with the healthcare provider, fostering better communication.

🎯 Moreover, merging VR with wearable tech and sensors can create a treasure trove of information for accurate diagnoses and personalized treatments. Even complex medical data such as imaging scans or 3D models of organs can be visualized and explained more effectively using VR.

🧠 The VR headset even goes a step further by incorporating emotion recognition software, a crucial breakthrough for assessing psychological wellbeing during remote consultations.

💰 However, as promising as this may sound, there are barriers. One of them is cost. Luckily, as a solutions-oriented technologist, I know that as technology advancements continue, costs are likely to reduce over time, increasing accessibility.

📚 Compliance also presents some hurdles. VR developers and healthcare professionals will need to ensure their tech meets all necessary medical standards and guidelines. Processes may take additional time, but the potential benefits in terms of care access, patient engagement, and service quality make this a journey well worth undertaking.

🌐 Looking at this development, it’s clear that the potential and scope for VR in healthcare go beyond mental health therapies. It highlights that ongoing efforts in digital innovation are pushing the envelope of what's possible in telemedicine.

#VRInMedicine #Telemedicine #Insights

Read the article: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/scientists-adapt-vr-tech-for-use-in-remote-medical-consults

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