In today’s high tech world, we cannot work without taking help from the latest innovations. Taking help of technology has become a necessity. Naturally, the field of education too uses them for its own betterment. There is no denying the fact that there are barren areas where with the help of latest technology, one can improve a lot.
Take the example of the world of medicine; there are moments when a doctor has to perform life-saving procedures for the patients. It is important to note that there are certain procedures you rarely undergo, but still have to remain prepared so as to face them if and when the situation calls for it. Such cases need to be performed with precision; a small mistake can actually be fatal. Along with the common ailments, students must also know about these rare cases and to ensure that, a student needs to practice.
Take the opposite scenario. There may be cases when a doctor needs to educate the patient about the impending operation; or how critical the procedure might turn out to be. In such cases, a graphical representation helps a lot. This is also a case in point where technology helps in the transformation of lives
However, the word technology itself sounds vague and what is needed here is specifics. By a particular technology, we mean Virtual Reality.
However, the word technology itself sounds vague and what is needed here is specifics. By a particular technology, we mean Virtual Reality.
The world of virtual reality is full of possibilities and is yet to be fully explored. What we are discussing here is using Virtual Reality or VR in the field of Medical Education. Imagine medical students practicing virtual reality dissections before actually entering the operation theatre! This is the kind of admixtures we want to happen more regularly. Training facilities can be enhanced further by using VR simulators. But it is quite natural that in order to see high tech simulation becoming the preferred mode of education in medicine, the human element is absolutely necessary.
How can VR help us in attaining knowledge? Imagine yourself in a VR space nudging around nerves and vessels, having a real close look of the Central Nervous System or the CNS, and understanding the anatomical position more clearly. This is how VR works or should work. The future classes would be on the lines of an audio lecture accompanied by a 3D animated tour of the cerebrum using VR simulations! For surgical students, VR is the safest way of getting a real feel of an intricate surgery before applying it on real patient. Repeated exposure through VR is another big advantage.
Another important area where VR can be used is patient education. Everyone knows that medicine has entered the era of patient-centeredness. It has become necessary to treat patients equally, as partners for sustainable treatment. Here too, by using VR, the patient can be educated substantially about his/her ailment and a roadmap to success can be chalked out taking the patient into complete confidence.
But until now, the use of VR simulations has remained limited. It is quite costly. Accessibility is another problem. This kind of training needs an entirely new method of instructions. The idea is to come up with ways to overcome these challenges at the earliest. We should not forget that VR simulations should supplement instead of replacing real-world training on patients. There lies a huge possibility untapped but it will take time to become a popular tool.
