[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":391},["ShallowReactive",2],{"slug-how-the-metaverse-could-or-could-not-transform-healthcare":3},{"post":4,"relatedPosts":154,"relatedBooks":295},{"id":5,"date":6,"date_gmt":7,"guid":8,"modified":10,"modified_gmt":11,"slug":12,"status":13,"type":14,"link":15,"title":16,"content":18,"excerpt":21,"author":23,"featured_media":24,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":29,"categories":30,"tags":36,"project_category":40,"contact_email_category":41,"yst_prominent_words":42,"class_list":49,"better_featured_image":64,"acf":91,"yoast_meta":99,"_links":102},39957,"2022-03-03T10:00:00","2022-03-03T09:00:00",{"rendered":9},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=39957&_wpnonce=73a81c3423&status=auto-draft&type=post","2022-03-11T09:36:37","2022-03-11T08:36:37","how-the-metaverse-could-or-could-not-transform-healthcare","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-the-metaverse-could-or-could-not-transform-healthcare",{"rendered":17},"How The Metaverse Could (Or Could Not) Transform Healthcare",{"rendered":19,"protected":20},"\n\u003Cp>If you’ve browsed the internet in the last couple of months, the term ‘metaverse’ is likely to have been thrown at you at least once. Facebook \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fabout.fb.com\u002Fnews\u002F2021\u002F10\u002Ffacebook-company-is-now-meta\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rebranded itself\u003C\u002Fa> after the concept and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Finnovation-stories\u002Fmesh-for-microsoft-teams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">other companies\u003C\u002Fa> are adopting the metaverse with their own spin; betting heavily that it will be the next iteration of the internet where we will work and play alike. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As healthcare increasingly incorporates an online segment in the digital health era, one cannot help but wonder how – or even if – this touted future of the internet will influence this sphere. As such, we decided to step into the metaverse and contemplate how it can factor in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What is the metaverse?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This is a tricky question as there is not a general consensus on the definition of metaverse. Microsoft \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Finnovation-stories\u002Fmesh-for-microsoft-teams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">calls it\u003C\u002Fa> “a persistent digital world that is inhabited by digital twins of people, places and things”; while Mark Zuckerberg \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fabout.fb.com\u002Fnews\u002F2021\u002F10\u002Ffacebook-company-is-now-meta\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">says that\u003C\u002Fa> in the metaverse, “you’ll be able to do almost anything you can imagine”.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What is Microsoft's Metaverse?\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FQw6UCwCt4bE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The term ‘metaverse’ itself isn’t totally new. It was first coined by author Neal Stephenson in his classic sci-fi book \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.goodreads.com\u002Fbook\u002Fshow\u002F40651883-snow-crash\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Snow Crash\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa> published in 1992. In it, the Metaverse represents a virtual reality (VR)-based successor to the internet which is populated by users’ virtual avatars. There have been other depictions of such an internet successor such as the OASIS in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.goodreads.com\u002Fbook\u002Fshow\u002F9969571-ready-player-one\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Ready Player One\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>; but they are similar in that they represent a new, more interactive way for people to interact online in a thriving, VR-enabled virtual world with its own economy and communities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some would argue that metaverses \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnewsletters\u002F2022-02-11\u002Fthe-metaverse-makes-no-sense-and-here-s-why\" target=\"_blank\">have been around for decades\u003C\u002Fa> if one is to go by the virtual world concept. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsecondlife.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Second Life\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>, launched in 2003, is an example; while others like \u003Cem>Roblox \u003C\u002Fem>and \u003Cem>Fortnite\u003C\u002Fem> are often considered as “\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Fmetaverse-second-life\" target=\"_blank\">proto-metaverses\u003C\u002Fa>”. But the main idea that Big Tech is pushing forward is extending activities that we are already performing in real life to the digital one more seamlessly, where franchises from Marvel to \u003Cem>The Lord of the Rings\u003C\u002Fem> intermingle and where people smoothly go to work and entertain themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What the metaverse would look like in a healthcare setting\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Traditional access to the metaverse has been depicted through a VR headset; and this is exactly what Meta envisions with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamesindustry.biz\u002Farticles\u002F2021-12-03-oculus-quest-to-rebrand-as-meta-quest-in-2022\" target=\"_blank\">its rebranded Meta Quest arm\u003C\u002Fa>, which develops VR hardware and software. Going by VR alone, the approach holds \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">tremendous potential in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>. There is a growing number of studies that already point to VR as being a beneficial, drug-free alternative for therapeutic pathways, whether it’s in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.stgeorges.nhs.uk\u002Fnewsitem\u002Fvr-headsets-relaxing-patients-during-surgery-at-st-georges\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">reducing post-surgical pain\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvirtual-reality-help-women-get-through-childbirth-with-less-pain\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">making childbirth less painful\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apa.org\u002Fmonitor\u002Fjulaug05\u002Fcure\" target=\"_blank\">treating phobias\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"One-Minute Challenge: Virtual Reality - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FIVfmkds2PcQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, this is different from the concept of the metaverse. In the latter, instead of using a VR headset only for therapy, one would meet their therapist through the device as a digital avatar; have their consultation held in a virtual office; and can even head to a virtual pharmacy to order their prescription medicine (or VR app). Following that, they can meet up with fellow patient communities to share, in their avatar form, their treatment progress; and discuss new developments pertinent to their ailments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This offers a case to enhance the user experience as compared to online patient forums or current telemedical visits which happen through a flat screen. As such visits \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcovid-19-was-needed-for-telemedicine-to-finally-go-mainstream\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">have become commonplace\u003C\u002Fa>, equipping them with a better interface could entice healthcare providers to extend their services to the metaverse. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Moreover, with the interconnectedness that seems to be integral to this “new internet”, a patient’s digital avatar \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techtimes.com\u002Farticles\u002F271630\u002F20220209\u002Fmetaverse-and-healthcare-what-s-in-it-for-you.htm\">will carry their digital medical\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techtimes.com\u002Farticles\u002F271630\u002F20220209\u002Fmetaverse-and-healthcare-what-s-in-it-for-you.htm\" target=\"_blank\"> \u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techtimes.com\u002Farticles\u002F271630\u002F20220209\u002Fmetaverse-and-healthcare-what-s-in-it-for-you.htm\">data\u003C\u002Fa> collected from direct-to-consumer services and wearables – essentially any digital data – and can more easily share them to their physician in the healthcare metaverse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Is providing healthcare in the metaverse feasible?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As enticing as the prospect of extending healthcare to the metaverse sounds, we must consider its feasibility. The sheer volume of personal health data that will be involved represents \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-privacy-in-the-digital-health-era-the-medical-futurists-guide\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a security and privacy concern\u003C\u002Fa>. One technology that has been touted to address such concerns is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-the-hell-is-blockchain-what-does-it-mean-for-healthcare-and-pharma\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blockchain\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Companies like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.burstiq.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">BurstIQ\u003C\u002Fa> are already leveraging this technology to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techtimes.com\u002Farticles\u002F271630\u002F20220209\u002Fmetaverse-and-healthcare-what-s-in-it-for-you.htm\" target=\"_blank\">assist healthcare institutions\u003C\u002Fa> in addressing healthcare themes such as risk assessment, patient engagement and secure handling of personal health data. Having a transparent approach to handling such sensitive information can help build trust for patients to head to the metaverse for medical purposes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, implementing this approach will represent a challenge of its own. Current metaverse contenders like \u003Cem>Fortnight \u003C\u002Fem>and \u003Cem>Roblox \u003C\u002Fem>aren’t interoperable, neither is Meta’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oculus.com\u002Fexperiences\u002Fquest\u002F2532035600194083\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cem>Horizon Worlds\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa> with Microsoft’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Finnovation-stories\u002Fmesh-for-microsoft-teams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cem>Mesh\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>. One cannot bring content obtained, bought or created in \u003Cem>Roblox \u003C\u002Fem>to \u003Cem>Horizon Worlds \u003C\u002Fem>and vice versa; and this goes against the concept of the metaverse in the first place. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Given how healthcare and electronic health systems have \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Finteroperability-where-its-headed-and-where-it-leaders-will-be-investing\" target=\"_blank\">a notorious legacy of interoperability issues\u003C\u002Fa>, thinking that the metaverse will take those woes away might be a pipedream. Already we are seeing separate visions and differing versions of the metaverse from Big Tech that don’t talk with each other, leading us to think in terms of ‘metaverses’ instead of a single interoperable metaverse. These \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnewsletters\u002F2022-02-11\u002Fthe-metaverse-makes-no-sense-and-here-s-why\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">logistics issues\u003C\u002Fa> cannot be taken lightly, especially when it comes to healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On top of that comes practical issues with access to and handling VR headsets that pose as enablers of the metaverse. At $300, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oculus.com\u002Fquest-2\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Meta Quest 2\u003C\u002Fa> is arguably the most affordable way to get quality VR content. But even that price, significantly lower than other competitors’ headsets, might be a barrier to access the metaverse. Even those who adopt such a device might encounter other hurdles with the setting up the device; or simply having a 500g load strapped to one’s forehead might not be totally comfortable for extended periods of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s so much easier to communicate with people through phones and\u002For social media sites that envisioning all this happening in the metaverse seems like a far-fetched sci-fi idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>When life imitates art…\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It should not be forgotten that metaverse concepts from sources like \u003Cem>Snow Crash \u003C\u002Fem>and \u003Cem>Ready Player One\u003C\u002Fem>, which have clearly inspired Big tech, are set in a dystopian backdrop. And these might be drawing eerie parallels in the real-life metaverses. There have already been \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002F2021\u002F12\u002F16\u002F1042516\u002Fthe-metaverse-has-a-groping-problem\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">reports of sexual harrasments\u003C\u002Fa> in Meta’s Horizon Worlds app and other online virtual worlds. If tech companies cannot ensure a safe place in the metaverse at such an early stage, it raises questions as to how they will ensure it when (or if) more people engage with the platform. This does not paint a very promising picture of the internet’s so-called successor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, the recent push for the metaverse felt nothing like an organic move. The Facebook Company’s rebranding to Meta might very well have been a diversion tactic following \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002Ftechnology-58784615\" target=\"_blank\">years of bad press\u003C\u002Fa>. And by betting on and overhyping something as vague as the metaverse and keeping it so \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fez.substack.com\u002Fp\u002Fmark-zuckerberg-is-a-liar-and-hes?utm_source=url\" target=\"_blank\">makes it impossible to fail\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s important to know the distinction between the metaverse and the VR experience as we highlighted here. A lot of evidence-based studies have been proving the use of VR for medical purposes. But for the same to happen for the metaverse too, we are so far away; and it might not even be worth the effort now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",false,{"rendered":22,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>A lot of evidence-based studies have been proving the use of VR for medical purposes. But can the same happen with the metaverse too? \u003C\u002Fp>\n",16,40163,"closed",true,"","standard",{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31,32,33,34,35],7079,504,493,515,799,[37,38,39],7523,7525,637,[],[],[43,44,45,46,47,48],1853,2345,2621,2923,1681,1683,[50,14,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63],"post-39957","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tmf","category-artificial-intelligence","category-augmented-reality","category-science-fiction","category-security-privacy","tag-metaverse","tag-online-healthcare","tag-telehealth",{"id":24,"alt_text":65,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":66,"media_details":67,"post":5,"source_url":90},"Metaverse digital health","image",{"width":68,"height":69,"file":70,"sizes":71,"image_meta":88},1340,754,"2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small.png",{"medium":72,"large":78,"thumbnail":83,"medium_large":87},{"file":73,"width":74,"height":75,"mime-type":76,"source_url":77},"Metaverse-tmf-small-370x208.png","370","208","image\u002Fpng","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small-370x208.png",{"file":79,"width":80,"height":81,"mime-type":76,"source_url":82},"Metaverse-tmf-small-768x432.png","768","432","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small-768x432.png",{"file":84,"width":85,"height":85,"mime-type":76,"source_url":86},"Metaverse-tmf-small-150x150.png","150","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small-150x150.png",{"file":79,"width":80,"height":81,"mime-type":76,"source_url":82},{"aperture":89,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":89,"copyright":27,"focal_length":89,"iso":89,"shutter_speed":89,"title":27,"orientation":89},"0","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small.png",{"cta_type":27,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":92,"related_posts_footer":95,"related_posts":20},[93,94],24761,30419,[96,97,98],13109,13949,15503,{"yoast_wpseo_title":100,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":101,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":15},"How The Metaverse Could (Or Could Not) Transform Healthcare - The Medical Futurist","A lot of evidence-based studies have been proving the use of VR for medical purposes. But can the same happen with the metaverse too?",{"self":103,"collection":109,"about":112,"author":115,"replies":118,"version-history":121,"predecessor-version":124,"wp:featuredmedia":128,"wp:attachment":131,"wp:term":134,"curies":150},[104],{"href":105,"targetHints":106},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F39957",{"allow":107},[108],"GET",[110],{"href":111},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[113],{"href":114},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[116],{"embeddable":26,"href":117},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F16",[119],{"embeddable":26,"href":120},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=39957",[122],{"count":23,"href":123},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F39957\u002Frevisions",[125],{"id":126,"href":127},40807,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F39957\u002Frevisions\u002F40807",[129],{"embeddable":26,"href":130},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F40163",[132],{"href":133},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=39957",[135,138,141,144,147],{"taxonomy":136,"embeddable":26,"href":137},"category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=39957",{"taxonomy":139,"embeddable":26,"href":140},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=39957",{"taxonomy":142,"embeddable":26,"href":143},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=39957",{"taxonomy":145,"embeddable":26,"href":146},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=39957",{"taxonomy":148,"embeddable":26,"href":149},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=39957",[151],{"name":152,"href":153,"templated":26},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",[155],{"id":98,"date":156,"date_gmt":157,"guid":158,"modified":160,"modified_gmt":161,"slug":162,"status":13,"type":14,"link":163,"title":164,"content":166,"excerpt":168,"author":170,"featured_media":171,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":172,"categories":173,"tags":175,"project_category":185,"contact_email_category":186,"yst_prominent_words":187,"class_list":194,"better_featured_image":206,"acf":241,"yoast_meta":250,"_links":252},"2017-04-20T17:00:36","2017-04-20T15:00:36",{"rendered":159},"http:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?p=15503","2022-05-03T16:27:10","2022-05-03T14:27:10","virtual-reality-used-clinical-practice","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvirtual-reality-used-clinical-practice",{"rendered":165},"Virtual Reality Is Used in Clinical Practice",{"rendered":167,"protected":20},"\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"5px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp style=\"color: #555;font-size: 12px;line-height: 14px\">THIS ARTICLE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2017. THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THE ARTICLE WAS ACCURATE AT THE TIME OF ITS PUBLICATION, BUT IT MAY BE OUT OF DATE NOW. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fmagazine\">BROWSE OUR LATEST ARTICLES HERE\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Dr. Brennan M. Spiegel and his research team at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have been experimenting with virtual reality (VR) for years. I had a fruitful and very exciting correspondence with him about moments of immersion, virtual pharmacies or how to travel to Iceland without leaving your hospital bed. Read on!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003C!--more-->\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>VR is an \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare\u002F\">\u003Cstrong>area of endless possibilities\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>VR has not just moved the imagination of science-fiction fans, but also clinical researchers and real life medical practitioners. As a doctor, \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.medicalrealities.com\u002F\">you could assist in the OR\u003C\u002Fa> without ever lifting a scalpel. If you are a medical student, you could \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.edtechmagazine.com\u002Fhigher\u002Farticle\u002F2016\u002F08\u002Fthree-ways-med-students-can-use-virtual-reality\">study the human body more closely\u003C\u002Fa> and prepare better for real life surgeries. As a patient with mental health problems, you could \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.psychologytoday.com\u002Fblog\u002Fknow-your-mind\u002F201605\u002Fhow-virtual-reality-could-transform-mental-health-treatment\">fight your possible fear of heights, schizophrenia or paranoia\u003C\u002Fa> more successfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And perhaps the most successful application of VR so far is its utilization for stress release and pain reduction for patients suffering from chronic pain. For example, enthusiastic university students \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.the-peak.ca\u002F2016\u002F05\u002Fsfu-students-design-virtual-reality-game-for-cancer-patients\u002F\">developed a VR game called Farmoo\u003C\u002Fa>. As its main creator, Henry Lo says “it is intended to help teen cancer patients get distracted during chemotherapy treatments so that they can focus more on the activities inside the game, rather than the treatment itself”. Researchers at the University of Washington showed in an experiment that a 40-year-old patient with 19% of his body covered in burns benefited greatly from the combination of hydrotherapy and VR usage. They even developed a Pixar-like app with a relaxing snow scene together with Firsthand Technology to help alleviate pain felt during wound care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"579\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fvirtual-reality-in-healthcare.jpg\" alt=\"Virtual Reality in Healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-15504\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fvirtual-reality-in-healthcare.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fvirtual-reality-in-healthcare-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fvirtual-reality-in-healthcare-512x341.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fvirtual-reality-in-healthcare-376x250.jpg 376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Brennan Spiegel and his research team\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are many examples already, but perhaps the most well-known is the research team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles led by Brennan M. Spiegel, MD as the director of Health Services Research. The multidisciplinary team has a wide palette of research interest, including wearable biosensors (both developing and testing), mHealth apps, electronic health records (EHRs), patient-provider portals, and social media analytics, among other platforms. For example, they developed a biosensor that adheres to the abdominal wall, monitors digestion sounds via computer, and displays the results on an app. The device called \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fgi-logic.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fabstats\u002F\">AbStats\u003C\u002Fa> was approved by the FDA. It can be used in hospital settings to determine when to start feeding patients after an operation by using a “feeding stoplight” with three colors – red for “no feeding,” yellow for “start liquids,” and green for “start solids.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>They are also working on how to mine data out of EHRs to provide feedback and evidence-based decision support for medical professionals. The team received a $2 million \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.pcori.org\u002Fresearch-results\u002F2016\u002Fintegrating-patient-voice-comparative-effectiveness-trial-communication\">grant\u003C\u002Fa> from the Patient Centered Outcome Research Institute (PCORI) to use clinical decision support (CDS) with “\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fwww.choosingwisely.org\u002F\">Choosing Wisely\u003C\u002Fa>” alerts to reduce inappropriate opioid over-prescribing in primary care guidelines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, VR embodies the most important line in their research area. They have already treated more than 300 patients with VR therapy in a pilot project. The team accumulated the first experiences with the technology, and they are aiming to conquer new horizons as well. Spiegel mentioned that they are working on an innovative VR solution for high blood pressure management.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fpatient-with-virtual-reality-goggles.jpg\" alt=\"Patient with Virtual Reality Goggles\" class=\"wp-image-15505\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fpatient-with-virtual-reality-goggles.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fpatient-with-virtual-reality-goggles-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fpatient-with-virtual-reality-goggles-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fpatient-with-virtual-reality-goggles-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fpatient-with-virtual-reality-goggles-444x250.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How does VR work in reality?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The research team carried out the project at Cedars-Sinai with inpatients admitted between Aug. 5, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2015. The patients could experience VR worlds for up to 20 minutes through wearing a Samsung Gear headset. They could choose to travel to Iceland, participate in the work of an art studio or swim with whales in the ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Spiegel told me that their experience showed that when VR works, it really works. But not everyone is willing yet to try it out, particularly older patients. In their first study, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmental.jmir.org\u002F2016\u002F2\u002Fe28\u002F\">published in JMIR Mental Health\u003C\u002Fa>, they found that the average age of patients willing to try VR was 49.7 years old, whereas those unwilling to try it were 60.2 years old on average. This is consistent with the known “digital divide” between generations with regard to comfort and familiarity with using digital technologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Virtual Reality | Cedars-Sinai\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FzpcNhnU-Aaw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Moments of cognitive and physiologic immersion\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The team found that there are two distinct moments indicating VR is working. Spiegel calls them “the moment of cognitive immersion” and “the moment of physiologic immersion”. The first refers to the first 20 seconds of using VR, when patients realize alone or with the help of the research staff that VR has a 360-degree extension and only if they move their head, are they able to explore the scene in its entirety. Spiegel mentioned that \u003Cem>the moment they begin to move, invariably, there is a recognition that VR is different from anything experienced before\u003C\u002Fem>. \u003Cem>The patient almost always smiles, laughs, or says something like “that’s amazing!\u003C\u002Fem>”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>“The moment of physiologic immersion” comes after 3-5 minutes of using VR, after patients cognitively recognize that they are in a 3-D environment. After this realization happens in the brain, the next step is when the body also adjusts to the experience. “\u003Cem>This is most evident when we use relaxing environments, such as a nature tour or a mindful meditation experience. We can actually see that very moment when the patient takes his or her first, deep, purposeful breath”, \u003C\u002Fem>explained Spiegel. \u003Cem>This involuntary physiologic cascade does not always occur, but when it does, we know VR is having its impact. We can see it without question. It’s a beautiful thing, \u003C\u002Fem>he added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Why Virtual Reality Could Help Treat Alzheimer's and Chronic Pain\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FxAhuVEQRJs8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What are the first results concerning pain reduction?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Spiegel and his research team \u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fmental.jmir.org\u002F2017\u002F1\u002Fe9\u002F\">concluded another experiment, whose results were published in 2017\u003C\u002Fa>. They \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.painnewsnetwork.org\u002Fstories\u002F2017\u002F3\u002F30\u002Fvirtual-reality-relieves-pain-in-hospitalized-patients\">enrolled 100 patients\u003C\u002Fa> suffering from gastrointestinal, cardiac, neurological and post-surgical pain. Fifty patients watched a 15-minute nature video with beautiful mountains and running streams, accompanied by calming music. The other 50 patients wore VR goggles to watch a 15-minute animated game called Pain RelieVR, which was specifically designed to treat patients who have to stay in bed or have limited mobility. The experiment showed that among 100 patients who watched the nature video, there was a \u003Cstrong>13 percent drop in their pain scores\u003C\u002Fstrong>, while patients who watched the virtual reality game had a \u003Cstrong>24 percent decline in their pain levels\u003C\u002Fstrong>. That’s a very promising result!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The research team concluded that the use of VR in hospitalized patients significantly reduces pain versus a control distraction condition. However, further trials and experiments are necessary for confirming the results. Spiegel added that they are currently performing an even larger, randomized, controlled trial with a minimum of 120 patients for measuring longitudinal outcomes and plan to have more results in the next 6-8 months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>During this study, the research team not only examines the impact of VR on patients more profoundly but also the effect of the method on resource utilization, including the use of pain medications and length of stay in the hospital. Since it is assumed that VR has the potential to reduce the cost of medication as well as the days spent in a medical facility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"525\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fvr-pain-relief.jpg\" alt=\"Virtual Reality Pain Relief\" class=\"wp-image-15507\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fvr-pain-relief.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fvr-pain-relief-768x463.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fvr-pain-relief-512x309.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fvr-pain-relief-414x250.jpg 414w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>VR and its side effects?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I was wondering whether there is any truth to the fear, which appears in a lot of sci-fi movies and books, namely that VR is so addictive that its users no longer want to live in their real environment, but rather in a virtual one. The dilemma of living on\u002Foffline and its possible, utopian consequences is shown brutally for example in the sci-fi short, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=UXX0TRtg5Vk\">Uncanny Valley\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So I asked Spiegel, whether they experienced any sign of addiction during their clinical practice. He said that compared to something like opioids, which have caused a worldwide dependency epidemic of catastrophic proportions, a non-pharmacological pain remedy like VR is highly desirable and not meaningfully addictive in the same manner. He emphasized that the team has not seen patients becoming addicted to VR – far from it. The expert added that they electronically track exactly how much VR exposure each of their patients experiences as part of the study, and the average per day is around 10-15 minutes of usage. The maximum they have recorded to date is 134 minutes in a day. Spiegel added that they are just not seeing abuse of VR so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Is VR for everyone?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, there is also a concern about whether VR is for everyone or are there any conditions when it is not recommended. Spiegel mentioned that for their studies, they excluded patients who could not consent (for example individuals with dementia), who were placed in contact isolation, or who had head wounds or bandages that interfere with the VR headset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The researcher reminded that VR may cause motion sickness in some users. So they excluded patients with a history of motion sickness and vertigo, and anyone experiencing active nausea or vomiting. Patients with a history of seizures or epilepsy were also excluded to limit the theoretical risk of inducing seizures with VR (Samsung Gear user manual cites a 0.025% risk from pediatric data). However, Spiegel also emphasized that they are much stricter during their experiment to maintain the appropriate statistical crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\u003Cfigure class=\"aligncenter\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"870\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002F1712507217.rsc.cdn77.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fcp31nd_ueaadu5l.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-15515\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fcp31nd_ueaadu5l.jpg 870w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fcp31nd_ueaadu5l-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fcp31nd_ueaadu5l-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fcp31nd_ueaadu5l-512x288.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fcp31nd_ueaadu5l-444x250.jpg 444w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 870px) 100vw, 870px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How long do we have to wait until VR pharmacies appear in hospitals?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Spiegel believes it is fascinating how exponentially interest has grown among their colleagues at Cedars-Sinai. Their lab routinely receives calls and emails from clinicians asking us to use VR in their patients. The main limitation has been time and equipment availability. Clinicians understand the potential value of VR and are interested in trying it with their patients. \u003Cem>Time and evidence will tell if this excitement should be sustained.\u003C\u002Fem> We think it will, he added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The researcher said that they have to shift their focus towards the visualizations themselves, as VR is just the platform. Patients have different tastes: some like to relax on a beach, others prefer to play games, some are annoyed by real-life footage, some by dynamic environments. According to Spiegel, the solution might be a so-called “VR Pharmacy” of \u003Cem>evidence-based, well-characterized visualizations that clinicians can pull off the shelf and “prescribe” to individual patients\u003C\u002Fem>. It would also help to have a formal way to match patient knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and preferences with specific off-the-shelf visualizations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>He believes a new type of provider, “\u003Cstrong>The Virtualist\u003C\u002Fstrong>” will be born out of these needs. The Virtualist will be trained in clinical medicine, bio-psycho-social illness models, and VR technology (also augmented reality [AR] and, in the future, mixed reality [MR]), and will evaluate patients to determine the correct VR prescription. This may become a medical specialty one day. Spiegel added that they are testing a “Virtualist Consult Service” that other doctors can call to help with pain, anxiety, and inpatient distress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Digital health has to make a difference\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Spiegel stressed that digital devices, such as VR have to have the overall goal to improve clinical outcomes that matter. If it will not happen, they will remain in the entertainment category. Digital interventions should pass the “so what” test. How will the results be employed in the clinic? Can we act on the results? How do patients react to the innovation? These are the most relevant questions also in relation to VR and its application.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I truly hope developers will find the right answers; and in the 2020s, we will be able to immerse in VR worlds anywhere while being stuck in a hospital bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #eee; border-top: 4px solid #444;\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n\u003Ctbody>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd style=\"width: 100%;\">\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>At The Medical Futurist, we are building a community for making a bold vision about the future of healthcare reality today.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFIbMejImnxs\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003Cp>If you’d like to support this mission, we invite you to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">join The Medical Futurist Patreon Community\u003C\u002Fa>. A community of empowered patients, future-oriented healthcare professionals, concerned health policymakers, sensible health tech developers, and enthusiastic medical students. If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our research and sustains our future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.patreon.com\u002Fthemedicalfuturist\">\u003Cstrong style=\"background-color: #e71d3299; color: #000;\">Click here to support The Medical Futurist from as little as $3\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa> – it only takes a minute. Thank you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Ftd>\n\u003C\u002Ftr>\n\u003C\u002Ftbody>\n\u003C\u002Ftable>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":169,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>Dr. Brennan M. Spiegel and his research team at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have been experimenting with virtual reality (VR) for years. I had a fruitful and very exciting correspondence with him about moments of immersion, virtual pharmacies or how to travel to Iceland without leaving your hospital bed. Read on!\u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,15513,{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[174],514,[176,177,178,179,180,181,182,183,184],174,246,275,289,313,425,445,450,517,[],[],[188,189,43,190,191,192,193],1631,1723,1857,1883,3571,3585,[195,14,51,52,53,54,55,196,197,198,199,200,201,202,203,204,205],"post-15503","category-virtual-reality","tag-clinical-practice","tag-future","tag-healthcare","tag-innovation","tag-medicine","tag-technology-2","tag-virtual-reality","tag-vr","tag-gc1",{"id":171,"alt_text":27,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":66,"media_details":207,"post":98,"source_url":240},{"width":208,"height":209,"file":210,"sizes":211,"image_meta":238},870,489,"2017\u002F04\u002Fmaxresdefault-1.jpg",{"medium":212,"large":218,"thumbnail":223,"medium_large":227,"large_old_512x288":228,"medium_old_444x250":233},{"file":213,"width":214,"height":215,"mime-type":216,"source_url":217},"maxresdefault-1-370x208.jpg",370,208,"image\u002Fjpeg","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fmaxresdefault-1-370x208.jpg",{"file":219,"width":220,"height":221,"mime-type":216,"source_url":222},"maxresdefault-1-768x432.jpg",768,432,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fmaxresdefault-1-768x432.jpg",{"file":224,"width":225,"height":225,"mime-type":216,"source_url":226},"maxresdefault-1-150x150.jpg",150,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fmaxresdefault-1-150x150.jpg",{"file":219,"width":220,"height":221,"mime-type":216,"source_url":222},{"file":229,"width":230,"height":231,"mime-type":216,"source_url":232},"maxresdefault-1-512x288.jpg",512,288,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fmaxresdefault-1-512x288.jpg",{"file":234,"width":235,"height":236,"mime-type":216,"source_url":237},"maxresdefault-1-444x250.jpg",444,250,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fmaxresdefault-1-444x250.jpg",{"aperture":89,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":89,"copyright":27,"focal_length":89,"iso":89,"shutter_speed":89,"title":27,"orientation":89,"keywords":239},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F04\u002Fmaxresdefault-1.jpg",{"related_posts":242,"related_posts_footer":246,"cta_type":27,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":20},[243,244,245],15375,17731,17741,[247,248,249],17232,16355,23336,{"yoast_wpseo_title":251,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":27,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":163},"Virtual Reality Is Used in Clinical Practice - 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The advanced technologies fueling the transformation cannot improve without our data; and without it, they can’t be implemented as part of regular medical care. And COVID-19 has only made things worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In this e-Book, we defined the three cornerstones of privacy of every privacy discussion going forward: the traditional, the new and the future spheres that deal with your health data, and put forward recommendations on how you can start protecting yourself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":311,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>Today, everyone needs to understand that there is no digital health without sacrificing a part of our privacy. 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