Understanding VR’s Role in Health Care
Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that allows users to be immersed in a computer-generated visual environment. VR can simulate reality through interactive devices, the most common being headsets, goggles, or hand controllers. The type of environment VR technology can simulate is varied, including nature hikes, space battles, and interactive games.
VR is being used all across the healthcare industry, including medical education and surgical training. Today, we’ll take a look at how it’s utilized for chronic pain management and exposure therapy to improve patient outcomes with safe and controlled treatment practices.
Impact of Virtual Reality on Pain Management
Medical professionals are using VR to aid pain management through forms of exposure therapy and immersive distractions. Let’s take a closer look at these applications and how they benefit patient’s treatment plans.
Immersive Distraction Therapy and its Impacts
VR devices are being used by medical professionals in the mental health industry to treat patients with anxiety and forms of trauma. VR is an ideal tool for this type of treatment since it can immerse patients into a virtual world, including audio simulation.
Through virtual reality exposure therapy, patients can confront their traumatic experiences in a safe and controlled environment, reducing the risks that come with in-person exposure therapy. For example, patients with claustrophobia can use VR to simulate small spaces, such as elevators, as a form of exposure therapy. This allows the patient to adjust to the small space before getting in a real elevator, improving the patient’s comfort and confidence levels.
VR Adjunctive Therapy in Chronic Pain Management
Healthcare professionals are using VR to provide pain relief by allowing patients to become immersed in virtual reality, distracting them from the pain intensity. VR is great for acute pain management, as these conditions are typically short-term injuries that don’t require an extensive treatment plan. By using VR to distract patients from the pain and anxiety related to their injury, they will have a better experience and medical outcomes.
VR can also be used to treat chronic pain, allowing patients to decrease pain levels through immersive experiences. Patients will incorporate VR into their chronic pain management as a form of virtual reality therapy, offering a distraction from the pain that medication cannot offer.
Managing chronic pain is a complicated process that is not always successful. Incorporating VR therapy into a patient pain management plan is low-risk and can provide patients with relief without the need for pain medicine.
How Virtual Reality Can Transform Future Pain Management
Virtual reality technology is constantly evolving, which will impact how it’s used in the healthcare industry. Let’s take a look at how advancements in VR technology can benefit patient care and improve health outcomes.
Predicted Advancements in VR Technologies for Pain Management
The biggest challenge to implementing VR therapy is the cost and accessibility of VR technology. VR devices are expensive, which is a challenge for most patients experiencing chronic pain, anxiety, or trauma. The patients who would benefit most from VR therapy will typically have higher medical expenses, making the cost of a VR headset an unrealistic option. However, as technology continues to advance and more VR options are available, the overall cost could decrease, making it more accessible.
Additionally, as VR technology advances, the type of immersive virtual reality environments available will become more flexible and designed for medical applications. This will be especially beneficial for therapeutic practices, as VR environments would be designed specifically for exposure therapy.
Improvement in Patient Care & Quality of Life Using VR Techniques
Outside of therapy and chronic pain management, VR has additional applications in the healthcare industry. VR can be used to distract patients during painful procedures, ease burn patients’ pain during treatment, and provide interactive physical therapy in a remote setting. These applications can improve the overall quality of life for the patients receiving treatment and the medical professionals creating treatment plans to manage pain.
Due to medical preferences or previous conditions, patients may opt out of certain medications commonly used to alleviate pain. In these cases, offering virtual reality technology as an alternative can improve patients’ experience and overall health outcomes.
Work With Geneca Today
If your healthcare organization is ready to utilize virtual reality technology for patient treatment plans, contact Geneca today! Our team of software development professionals has experience in the healthcare industry and understands the unique requirements your organization has. Meet with a member of our leadership team to learn how we can bring your VR solution to life.