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Virtual Reality Simulation: The Window into Another World

Aug, 2022

Thinking of a Virtual Reality Simulation, we immediately think of science fiction films such as ‘Minority Report.’ However, the reality is that this technology has become integrated into our daily life. Virtual reality is here to stay in video games, medical, and education. However, what is it precisely?

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How Is Virtual Reality Defined?

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Virtual Reality simulation is a computer-generated environment that simulates real-world scenes and objects, giving the user the sensation of being completely immersed in their surroundings. This world is viewed with a Virtual Reality headset or helmet.

VR enables us to immerse ourselves in video games as if we were one of the characters, learn how to do heart surgery, and optimize the quality of athletic training. While this appears to be a futuristic concept, its beginnings are not as recent as we may believe. Indeed, many believe that one of the first Virtual Reality gadgets was Sensorama, a machine with an integrated seat that played 3D films, emitted odors, and generated vibrations to enhance the experience. The patent extends back to the mid-1950s. Subsequent technological and software advancements resulted in a gradual evolution of both devices and interface design over the years.

Difference between Augmented and Virtual Reality Simulation

Although Virtual Reality is a decades-old technology, many people are still confused with the concept. Additionally, the terms virtual reality and augmented reality are frequently used interchangeably. The primary distinction between the two is that VR creates a world into which we may immerse ourselves via a specialized headset.

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It is completely immersive, and everything we see is part of an environment produced artificially through visuals, sounds, and so on. In contrast, augmented reality (AR) uses our world as a framework within which objects, images, and similar items are inserted. Everything we see and feel is in the real world, and wearing a headset may not be completely necessary. The most eloquent and widespread illustration of this principle is Pokémon Go.

However, there is a hybrid reality that combines both realities. This is referred to as mixed reality. This hybrid technology enables, for example, the visualization of virtual things in the physical environment and the creation of an experience in which the physical and digital are virtually indistinguishable.

Virtual Reality Simulation in Healthcare

As the healthcare business evolves, so does the education of new and experienced physicians and other clinicians.

In-person simulation has become a requirement for medical and nursing students worldwide, allowing them to perform life-saving operations before encountering real patients. That will always be true to some extent. However, in the immersive virtual reality realm of the future, additional virtual reality simulation scenarios will occur.

Physical simulation and physically duplicated surroundings, on the other hand, are costly and need people to travel. This complicates frequent or repetitive practice. By offering virtual reality simulations, medical practitioners who cannot go to a simulation center can participate. It enables the formation of interprofessional teams comprised of staff members who have never worked together previously. Participants can use virtual reality simulations to prepare for in-person simulations and to repeat practice after completing hands-on learning opportunities.

Medical Simulation Through the Use of Virtual Reality Simulation Technology

Virtual and augmented reality simulation technology is increasing in popularity today, with items such as the Oculus Rift and Microsoft HoloLens becoming mainstream. However, virtual reality simulation has been used in some capacity in the medical industry for years. It simply hasn’t progressed sufficiently to give professionals truly immersive experiences in a variety of healthcare settings.

William Bond, DIRECTOR OF SIMULATION RESEARCH, conducted a study in which he enrolled 18 persons who represented an outpatient interprofessional care team. At any given moment, up to five clinicians participated in simulation exercises as if they were playing a computer game. They were in control of their avatars and communicated with one another via Voice over IP. Several were also in the same room, allowing them to communicate while they worked through the scenarios. Within the virtual clinic room, actors portrayed patients and controlled their avatars and voice controls. All subjects received orientation before the simulations.

They continuously enhanced the simulation method, virtual environment, and scenarios through a design-based research approach based on feedback from participants during debriefing. Learners provided feedback on various topics, ranging from the authenticity of the sounds in the outpatient room to the ease with which the virtual world might be navigated.

Participants accepted the learning technique and atmosphere, according to a post-activity survey. Additionally, the majority agreed that the virtual reality simulation satisfied the learning objectives for office-based emergencies. The next step will be to scale up this strategy.

Medical Training in Virtual Reality Simulation

Rather than being a fad among gamers, virtual reality simulation headsets have the potential to be the way of the future. Organizations and industries worldwide are devising novel methods to utilize this extraordinary technology in their operations. Medical practice is no exception.

The majority of medical students undertake hours of hard hands-on instruction during their time in school. They typically train using cadavers, mannequins, computer-based instruction, and other hands-on equipment. While these techniques have been used for years to train exceptional physicians, virtual reality training matches the real world like never before. Virtual reality training has improved where numerous medical institutions had integrated it into their medical education curricula. Here are five ways virtual reality is being utilized in the classroom to instruct students about medical devices

Medical Skills Development

Doctors must be familiar with several procedures that they may never employ and perform them flawlessly and efficiently when the occasion arises. Medical students can practice these operations in a fully immersive scenario by utilizing virtual reality. Apart from complex medical procedures, students can also benefit from medical virtual reality training for regular procedures to save lives. Along with instruction, students can obtain immediate feedback on their performance.

Simulated Trauma & Emergency Room

Working in the emergency room needs stamina, competence, and rapid thinking. Students can experience the real-world scenario of treating trauma victims in the emergency room through virtual reality. Students can assess patients, make quick decisions, and eventually perform procedures that save lives and stabilize patients’ conditions.

Surgical Education

During the first two years of medical school, students learn mostly in a classroom setting. Typically, real-world experience does not begin until clinical rotations, except a brief surgical rotation. This leaves very little time for on-the-job training. Medical students can immerse themselves in a surgical experience long before entering a surgical residency using VR training. They can observe surgery and perhaps witness them firsthand. Virtual reality puts pupils ahead of the curve from the start.

Compassion

Without a doubt, the most important aspect of becoming a great doctor is developing a strong empathy for the patients being treated. Believe it or not, this can be challenging to accomplish. Virtual reality allows trainees to experience, to a degree, some diseases that their future patients may encounter. Whether it’s visual loss, hearing loss, vertigo, or another condition, virtual reality can help students acquire critical empathy skills.

Knowledge of Human Anatomy

Medical schools no longer have to rely on cadavers to teach students about human anatomy. Medical students utilizing virtual reality can now examine authentic and actual human anatomy in a fully immersive environment, including the circulatory system, central nervous system, muscles, and bones.

The Future of Virtual Reality Simulation Industry

A significant advantage of adopting a virtual environment for medical simulation is the low cost of reaching a large audience with content. There are, however, initial expenditures connected with developing the curriculum and medical environment. Educators would frequently prefer a pre-built virtual environment for which they could develop scenarios. As our study team did, few faculty members have the time or resources to create an interface from scratch.

However, a rising number of technology companies are focusing on expanding the possibilities for virtual reality-based simulation. A future in which healthcare students will fully immerse themselves in a virtual realm where they can practice procedures or interact with patients while wearing 3D viewing equipment.

We are still in the early stages at the moment. The things that are currently impossible to model will be possible in the next five to ten years!

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