VR in Medical Simulation: New Quality in Training and Surgery

It is estimated that the value of the virtual and augmented reality industry is approximately USD 160 billion.

It is estimated that the value of the virtual and augmented reality industry is approximately USD 160 billion. It became popular mainly in teaching and training, including the area of medical simulation. What are the main benefits of medical simulators? Who is the main beneficiary? What are the development directions?

Until a few years ago, VR was at the forefront of top growing technologies according to Gartner. Although it has not dominated our daily lives yet (mainly due to the high cost), there are areas where it is very successful and beneficial. In medicine, there is no room for error, and if one is committed the consequences can be catastrophic. That is why risk minimization methods during medical procedures are worth their weight in gold. Medical simulators using VR technology come with help.

Advantages

Medical simulation is crucial for the development of medical personnel qualifications. This is gaining importance due to the limited access to live patients during training. The use of VR technology creates a safe environment to carry out experiments and perform advanced medical procedures. It significantly reduces the risk of error which is especially important taking into account the increasing focus on patient safety. Medical simulators play a special role in laparoscopic surgery due to the risk of loss of depth vision and limited access to the abdominal organs.

Main beneficiaries

There are three main groups that benefit from using medical simulators the most.

Medical personnel

During the medical procedure, there is no room for mistakes. Using VR technology by surgeons creates opportunities to train and get prepared. It positively influences the course, duration of the operation, and intraoperative complications. In addition, it increases the surgeon's confidence and reduces stress.

Patients

Medical simulation training performed by the surgeon increases the chances that the medical procedure will be successful. Elimination of the error during the actual treatment also affects faster recovery.

Students

The biggest challenge for students is limited access to the operating room. By providing medical simulators, students can acquire practical skills. Access to virtual training is gaining even more importance in the era of restrictions related to COVID-19 (i.e. limiting the number of people in the operating room).

Directions for development

It is projected that the global medical simulation market will reach USD 3.7 billion by 2025 (currently it is worth c.a. USD 1.9 billion). The growth is stimulated mainly by the demand for minimally invasive treatments and advancements in medical education. It is expected that laparoscopic simulators will dominate the surgical simulation market. Laparoscopy is a very complicated method of treatment mainly due to difficult access to the operated organs. It requires extraordinary manual and visual precision. It all can be achieved thanks to medical simulation training. The demand for laparoscopic simulators will also increase due to the need to maintain social distancing and further restrictions caused by COVID-19.