Exploring the Progress of Patient Care through Virtual Reality to Extended Reality
Cedars-Sinai and the University of Mississippi Medical Center Embrace Extended Reality for Enhanced Patient Care
The world of medicine has seen a significant transformation with the integration of Extended Reality (XR) technologies, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), into healthcare practices. Two leading institutions, Cedars-Sinai Health System and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, have been at the forefront of this revolution.
Cedars-Sinai's medical XR department focuses on education and training, research and development, and clinical care. Since 2016, they have used VR in over 3,500 patients, providing nonpharmacological treatments to lower pain and anxiety levels. The department is also testing a mix of virtual, augmented, and medical technologies, coupled with telehealth, to reach patients and scale patient outreach[1].
Meanwhile, the University of Mississippi Medical Center is using XR platforms to treat patients with a wide range of conditions, including concussions, chronic pain, attention deficit disorders, and issues linked to the autism spectrum. They are testing virtual environments to treat patients in remote and underserved areas, using a combination of VR headsets and telehealth technology[2].
XR offers different capabilities, extending what is possible in a clinical setting. According to Jennifer C. Reneker, an associate professor and research coordinator in the Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, these technologies can help patients with pain management, physical therapy, and behavioral health[3].
The cost of VR headsets is decreasing, making them more accessible for widespread patient use, with some starting at $300. Virtual reality headsets, equipped with sensors, can present tasks and situations that wouldn't be available in a typical clinical setting[4].
Virtual reality has major applications for operative planning, training, and patient therapeutics. For instance, it allows surgeons to rehearse complex procedures before performing them on actual patients[5].
Research and interest in XR for patient care have grown since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of these technologies alongside expanded broadband access, addressing part of the digital divide in underserved populations. AI-powered XR systems offer scalable mental health support, including AI-driven virtual agents and digital triage, enabling 24/7 care availability remotely[6].
However, challenges remain, such as digital literacy gaps, internet connectivity disparities, data privacy concerns, and the need for provider training in remote diagnostics[7]. Despite these, XR technologies have contributed to improving patient engagement, expanding the reach of care to remote populations, and providing more personalized, immersive therapeutic experiences, shaping new healthcare delivery models post-pandemic[6][7].
In conclusion, the integration of XR technologies into healthcare practices is revolutionizing patient care, offering immersive therapeutic environments and real-time remote interactions between patients and clinicians. Institutions like Cedars-Sinai and the University of Mississippi Medical Center are leading the way in this digital healthcare revolution, providing innovative solutions to healthcare challenges and improving patient outcomes.
[1] https://www.cedars-sinai.org/research/research-institutes/smil/research-areas/virtual-reality.html [2] https://www.umc.edu/research/departments/population-health-sciences [3] https://www.umc.edu/research/departments/population-health-sciences/news/2021/08/12/umc-researcher-explores-use-of-virtual-reality-to-treat-mental-health-conditions [4] https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/vr-ar-and-mr-technologies-expand-telehealth-reach [5] https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/vr-ar-and-mr-technologies-expand-telehealth-reach [6] https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/vr-ar-and-mr-technologies-expand-telehealth-reach [7] https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/vr-ar-and-mr-technologies-expand-telehealth-reach
Science has become an integral part of medical-conditions management in health-and-wellness sector, with technologies like Extended Reality (XR) – including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) – playing a significant role. According to research at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, XR technologies can help patients with pain management, physical therapy, and behavioral health. The cost of VR headsets is decreasing, making them more accessible, and virtual reality headsets can present tasks and situations unavailable in a typical clinical setting.
