Recently, the XR Association organised an opinion survey analysing the real-world adoption of XR in professional healthcare facilities, which the surveyors state showcases a profound optimism held by professionals towards AR/VR/MR technology.
The survey, led by the XR Association and 3W Insights, talked to roughly 493 healthcare professionals to analyse XR’s suitability across various medical use cases, such as for nurses, doctors, dentists, and physician assistants.
Notably, the survey found that seven out of ten healthcare professionals believe the industry should adopt AR, VR, and MR solutions in the next three to five years.
Sean Murtha, CCP, Perfusionist & COO, Comprehensive Care Services, added:
By immersing medical professionals in realistic, interactive training scenarios, we’re not just teaching skills – we’re cultivating instincts and decision-making capabilities that are crucial in real-world medical situations.
The firms found that of its surveyed professionals, 84 per cent said that AR and VR would affect the healthcare industry positively. Moreover, roughly 25 per cent of the surveyed professionals explained how they use XR solutions during surgical procedures.
Additionally, the survey said that 53 per cent of its polled patient-facing healthcare professionals believe that the “field is becoming increasingly challenging for its workers”, and 3 out of 5 nurses reported feeling “overwhelmed,” potential drivers behind XR’s adoption in the space.
The XR Association highlights how XR can help improve a professional’s experience, suggesting that immersive solutions can benefit professional clinical training, medical education, mental health, and treatment.
According to the survey, XR can produce positive outcomes for professionals while improving other results, including cost efficiency by 30 per cent, privacy by 28 per cent, and logistical considerations by 23 per cent.
The World Economic Forum Names “Medical Metaverse” Top Emerging Tech
In August 2023, the World Economic Forum published its 11th annual Top 10 Emerging Technologies report, highlighting innovative technological solutions that positively impact society.
The report named the “Medical Metaverse” as one of the top emerging technologies of 2023, along with other technologies such as flexible batteries, genAI, sustainable aviation fuel, designer phages, wearable plant sensors, spatial optics, flexible neural electronics, sustainable computing, and AI-facilitated healthcare.
The Medical Metaverse is a healthcare-focused virtual reality platform that can significantly improve the quality of healthcare services and positively impact patients’ well-being. The World Economic Forum report notes that this technology can benefit patients and service providers by highlighting practical use cases that drive Metaverse adoption.
The report also highlights the adverse effects of excess screen time and social media on psychological well-being, which is seen as one of our most pressing public health issues. However, the World Economic Forum believes that the same technology can combat the mental health crisis by providing virtual shared spaces that help build connections and improve digital interactions for professionals and consumers.
The World Economic Forum notes that the Medical Metaverse is a growing technology, especially as the mental health crisis becomes more prevalent. With the Metaverse technology, healthcare professionals can provide better care and alleviate patients’ psychological strain when seeking medical help.
The World Economic Forum has also taken note of how mental health facilities and groups use gaming platforms to improve patient outcomes through interactive and immersive experiences. Companies like DeepWell, Ninja Theory, and TRIPP are working towards reducing mental health issues such as anxiety and depression by providing wellness-oriented XR experiences that enhance engagement.
With the rise of shared XR wellness and telehealth services, patients can experience advanced augmented and emotional connections with distant individuals. This is expected to improve the mental health of virtually connected groups of pre and post-surgery patients.
The World Economic Forum predicts that the Medical Metaverse will soon enable patients to connect with therapeutic neurotechnologies, such as direct brain stimulation, to improve their mental health outcomes.
