Virtual Medicine

INTRODUCTION

Virtual reality (VR) is growing day by day. The use of virtual reality is in every field. From cosmetics to technology, virtual reality is ruling. Virtual reality (VR) provides different digital experiences that stimulate the real world. For instance, Google translate phone app allows us to scan and translate signs, texts, and menus. Also, L’Oreal’s makeup app enables people to experiment with the makeup products digitally before buying them.

There have been many improvisations in medical sectors as well. Doctors are approaching towards newer and better strategies. One of them is virtual medicine. For instance, if your pain or aches does not heal, doctors might suggest you go on a relaxing holiday instead of some bitter remedy. Also, psychiatrists might invite you to a party to treat your social anxiety instead of giving lectures and pills inside a room.

In simple words, virtual medicine is a two-day meeting that assembles intellectuals in captivating therapeutics. The VR Clinical Research Team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center came up with this concept. The Marc and Sheri Rapaport Fund for Digital Health Sciences and Precision Health supported them too. People attend the seminars and learn. The meeting includes case studies, lectures, patient vignettes, and workshops.

The virtual medicine is not a better way only. It is also practical. For instance, it is more appropriate to treat a patient of Alzheimer by reminiscing them with a replica of their childhood home. This way, the patient does not have to go through harsh neuron treatments. Likewise, hospitals can immerse children with playlands. It can take away the fright of children going through chemo or frightening tests.

GROWING USE OF VIRTUAL MEDICINE

Virtual medicine has recently become popular. But scientists have been using it for decades. Scientists were quietly discovering the advantages of virtual medicine. Surprisingly, virtual medicine is helpful for literally everything.

The use of virtual medicine is rapidly increasing. Be it burn injuries or stroke. Virtual medicine can do wonders for both. The use of virtual medicine can range from PTSD to schizophrenia to anxiety. More than five thousand studies show that virtual treatment can calm the pain, improve mental health, and steady nerves. Moreover, VR can help to deliver babies as well as heal the psychological scars of soldiers.

Virtual medicine is not only improving old methods. It is also providing new treatments for many disorders. Also, virtual medicine is building the humanity. It reminds doctors that the emotional lives of patients matter too. Doctors are not treating patients as a broken machine after the trending of virtual medicine. 

ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL MEDICINE

The use of virtual medicine is increasing proves that it has many benefits. Some of them are:

• Improved patient access to care
• Improved patient satisfaction
• Staying connected with patient and caregivers
• Improved care coordination
• Improved outcomes
• Improved quality of care
• Potential to improve workflow
• Ability to increase the effectiveness of care
• Increased flexibility in schedule

CHALLENGES OF VIRTUAL MEDICINE

Virtual medicine is an emerging concept. Not everyone can adapt it. Therefore, there are many problems or issues related to it. Some of them are:

• Potential medical errors
• Lack of reimbursements
• Complex licensing process
• Workplace does not provide the required technologies
• Risk of security and privacy of patient information
• Patients are new to the concept; many of them do not accept virtual medicine
• Increase in practice cost
• Lack of interest
• Many people do not see any need to add virtual treatment to practice
• Difficult to manage with the current workflow

Deloitte surveyed about 624 psychiatrists about this topic. The responses were as follows: