Virtual Reality for Future Medical Professionals

By Joey Davis
AVIXA
Managing Editor

The academic world has significantly benefited from virtual reality, which has opened up plenty of doors. This technology is used to provide students with more realistic and accurate learning experiences. 

Virtual reality is used by thousands of nurses to enhance their studies and academic expertise. There are a number of ways this technology can be used in nursing, according to Matthew Lynch at The Tech Advocate. He's detailed a few of them.

Providing Future Nurses With Realistic Experiences

"Virtual reality is a fantastic tool that can work wonders when used correctly in the classroom," says Lynch. "For example, it can be used to provide future nurses with valuable and realistic practice." 

Students studying to be doctors and nurses are taught that the medical field is chaotic and busy. Life-or-death situations require them to work as efficiently as possible. since students know nobody will die if they make a mistake.

However, using virtual reality can take these training programs to the next level. Lynch points out that students will feel more pressure when working, which results in more accurate lessons. Furthermore, VR headsets used in this type of training will allow them to feel as if they are actually in the medical environment rather than in a classroom. 

Studying Anatomy

The use of virtual reality can also help nursing students learn theory more effectively. "This technology will allow teachers and students to study body parts and systems that cannot be seen in real life, such as the immune or nervous system," Lynch says.

The experience of seeing and reading about something is very different. A nursing student may not fully comprehend a concept when they cannot see it in person. 

More Accurate Testing

Virtual reality is used by colleges and universities to test or examine their students. For instance, the teachers could use the headset to simulate an operating room in which the students would assist the virtual doctor with any given procedure.

Testing becomes much more accurate and realistic. In theory, written exams work great, but they don't always work so well in practice. 

Parting Shots

Virtual reality is being used in schools worldwide to enhance learning, with medical schools using this technology to provide their students with a more realistic and accurate academic experience. 

Check out this video case study from Precision OS's use of medical VR from Unreal Engine.

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Joey Davis
AVIXA, Managing Editor

Joey is a seasoned content and marketing professional with over 15 years of progressive experience in fast-paced digital media environments. The 2019 TAG Marketing Innovator of the Year recipient, he specializes in web content development, marketing strategy, writing, and graphic design.