Simulation in Health Sciences Education

In recent years, experts have focused on finding better ways to improve remotely delivered mental health care.

Now, virtual reality (VR) may pave the way for myriad new opportunities.

Using VR for remote therapy involves conducting “face-to-face” sessions in a virtual environment. This mode of treatment could make counselling more accessible to those living and working remotely.

My colleagues and I published a paper exploring VR’s potential in providing counselling for people in regional areas.

While face-to-face therapy remains the optimal treatment method, we discovered VR-based therapy was more effective than Skype-based counselling.

A hospital visit for the young ones is a scary prospect and it’s often not the procedure itself they fear. Studies have shown that kids worry about being separated from their loved ones and are frightened about what they will encounter during their time in hospital. As many as 2 in 3 kids will suffer from anxiety which can manifest in many ways including sleep disturbance, uncharacteristic behaviour and even depression. The more prepared kids are for their procedures the easier it is and VRemedies helps patients get ready for their visit in a fun, informative and interesting way. 

Using a virtual reality headset, child patients are given their own private preview of what to expect during their hospital visit. A friendly robot guides sick children through procedures such as radiation therapy, theatre – from pre-operation to recovery - MRI and CT scans and X-Ray. Because of its video game-like format and use of technology that is familiar and unthreatening to young people, VRemedies can help make upcoming visits considerably less daunting. Virtual reality technology allows children to be introduced to doctors and other medical professionals plus they can see and hear the clinical equipment and machines they will encounter on the day of their treatment. The robot goes through the procedure first so the child can watch and then they are encouraged to participate themselves. 

Contemporary surgery training is primitive. Video game technology is changing that.