Invented in 1968, augmented reality (AR) has transformed how “we consume content in the real world.” Specifically in the healthcare sector, AR has transformed how healthcare is delivered.
“Augmented Reality Is Already Changing Healthcare For The Better” is the title of a Forbes blog that took a look at how AR has impacted healthcare delivery. The blog speaks on how doctors performed the first spine surgery using an AR headset in 2020. The surgery resulted in 100% accuracy in implant placement, and since then, AR has been used in hundreds of surgeries, potentially replacing all procedures.
AR medical transformation
Augmented reality (AR) has significantly transformed healthcare in several key areas, enhancing both medical practice and patient outcomes.
Here are some of the most notable ways that AR is making an impact:
Medical training and education
- Interactive learning: AR enables medical students and professionals to interact with 3D models of the human body, organs, and systems. This immersive experience enhances the understanding of complex anatomical structures.
- Simulated procedures: AR allows for the simulation of surgeries and other medical procedures. Trainees can practice in a risk-free environment, gaining confidence and skills before performing on real patients.
Surgical applications
- Enhanced visualization: Surgeons can use AR to overlay critical information, such as MRI and CT scan data, directly onto the patient's body during surgery. This helps in pinpointing exact locations for incisions and avoiding vital structures.
- Precision and accuracy: AR-guided surgeries improve precision, leading to better outcomes and reduced recovery times. Tools like AR glasses provide real-time data and guidance, minimizing human error.
Patient care and rehabilitation
- Physical therapy: AR applications create interactive rehabilitation exercises for patients, making therapy more engaging and tailored to individual needs. This can enhance motivation and adherence to treatment plans.
- Pain management: AR can be used for distraction therapy, helping patients manage pain and anxiety during procedures or chronic pain conditions by immersing them in calming virtual environments.
Remote assistance and telemedicine
- Remote collaboration: AR enables healthcare professionals to collaborate remotely. Specialists can guide local doctors through complex procedures in real time, using AR to illustrate steps and provide detailed instructions.
- Patient consultations: Telemedicine can be enhanced with AR by allowing doctors to visually demonstrate treatment plans and medical conditions to patients, improving understanding and communication.
Diagnostics and treatment planning
- Improved diagnostics: AR can assist in diagnostics by overlaying patient data and imaging results directly onto their body. This contextual information helps in making more accurate diagnoses.
- Personalized treatment plans: AR helps in visualizing treatment outcomes and planning procedures tailored to individual patients, enhancing personalized medicine approaches.
Medical marketing and education for patients
- Patient education: AR can help patients understand their medical conditions and treatment options by visualizing their anatomy and showing how procedures will be performed.
- Healthcare marketing: AR applications are used by pharmaceutical and medical device companies to demonstrate their products interactively, making complex information more accessible.
Related: HIPAA compliant email marketing: What you need to know
Emergency response and field medicine
- Enhanced decision-making: In emergency situations, AR can provide first responders with critical information and instructions, improving decision-making and patient outcomes.
- Real-time data access: AR can provide paramedics and field doctors with real-time access to medical records and treatment protocols, even in challenging environments.
Benefits of AR in healthcare
- Increased accuracy and precision: Enhances the precision of surgical procedures and diagnostics, reducing the risk of errors and improving patient outcomes.
- Better training: Provides realistic, hands-on training experiences for medical professionals, leading to higher skill levels and better patient care.
- Improved patient experience: Enhances patient understanding and engagement, leading to better adherence to treatment plans and overall satisfaction.
- Efficiency: Streamlines various medical processes, from diagnostics to surgeries, reducing time and resource consumption.
Read also: Patient experience and HIPAA: What you need to know
Challenges and considerations
- Cost: The implementation of AR technology can be expensive, posing a barrier to widespread adoption, especially in resource-limited settings.
- Training: Healthcare professionals need proper training to effectively use AR tools, requiring time and resources.
- Integration: AR systems must be seamlessly integrated into existing healthcare workflows to be effective.
- Privacy and security: Ensuring that AR systems comply with data privacy and security regulations protects sensitive patient information.
See also: Understanding and implementing HIPAA rules
FAQs
How does AR improve the patient experience?
AR improves the patient experience by making medical procedures and conditions easier to understand through visualizations. It engages patients in their own care, enhances communication with healthcare providers, and can reduce anxiety during treatments.
What are some examples of AR applications in healthcare?
- Vein visualization: Devices that project images of veins onto the skin to assist in locating veins for injections or blood draws.
- Surgical navigation: Systems that provide real-time guidance during surgery by overlaying imaging data.
- Physical therapy: Applications that guide patients through exercises and provide feedback to ensure proper technique.