The healthcare sector remains a busy space for XR. Weekly, new stories of immersive solutions are seen in training and patient-facing procedures. While XR adoption in some industries is slow, healthcare is a potential hotbed for AR/VR/MR growth.
According to a Dimension Market Research report published earlier this year, the global augmented and virtual reality market in healthcare is estimated to grow to $19.6 billion by 2033, with an accompanying 20.2 per cent CAGR, forecasting a significant acceleration in the sector in the coming years.
Moreover, the report adds that the current 2024 market value is $3.7 billion, meaning the forecast perceives a roughly $15.2 billion increase. Specifically, the North American AR/VR healthcare market is dominating the sector’s growth, with the region securing 51.1 per cent of the market’s revenue so far in 2024.
According to Dimension Market Research, the region’s growth is driven by increased technology adoption, significant R&D investments, and government support, which drives industry adoption.
International healthcare groups and facilities have recently experimented with XR solutions for various usages. While the cases are isolated and do not imply that XR adoption in healthcare is widespread, the instances of healthcare XR usage are growing. They could support forecasts from analysts such as Dimension Market Research and leading vendors.
UC Berkeley Leverages Proto Hologram Solution
Recently, UC Berkeley’s West Cancer Center & Research Institute showcased a hologram doctor-patient solution at its Global Healthcare Innovation forum, where healthcare solution innovators will come together to showcase and explore emerging technologies and trends.
The showcase is intended to highlight a collaboration between UC Berkeley and Proto Hologram to create an immersive patient care experience that addresses disparity in oncology care for rural communities.
The West Cancer Center & Research Institute is showcasing how it believes Proto Hologram’s technology can provide virtual doctor visits for specialist care.
Mitch Graves, the CEO of West Cancer Center & Research Institute, explained:
Within a 150-mile radius of our Germantown location, there are over 4.7 million people and over half live in rural towns. One positive that came from the pandemic is the acceptance and increased use of telemedicine, but with Proto the patient and doctor experience is substantially different.
The healthcare organisation is highlighting its volumetric solution following a testing period earlier in the year, which led to a positive reception and allowed the UC Berkeley team to “pioneer options for patients to get highly specialized care without having to travel to large metro areas,” remarked Graves.
David Nussbaum, Inventor and CEO of Proto also added:
My mission has always been to connect people in meaningful ways. From the very beginning, I envisioned a future where doctors and patients could communicate seamlessly as holograms, breaking down barriers and enhancing the patient experience. We’re thrilled to see this vision come to life at West Cancer Center.
Graves also noted that the initial launch will lead to an October regional expansion, “I can see us expanding to several others in the future,” he added.
Despite the increasing presence of XR in the sector, various considerations exist when dealing with healthcare, ranging from sensitive data to ethical concerns.
Proto Hologram appears aware of this with its current approach towards the healthcare market.
Nussbaum said:
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NHS Leverages VR Patientcare Training
Across the pond, in the UK, healthcare professionals in Suffolk and Essex are also leveraging XR within the NHS to enhance training outcomes.
The NHS XR training programme creates an upskilling experience that puts clinicians in patients’ shoes to aid with caregiving.
According to a BBC report, NHS professionals, including GPs, physiotherapists, paramedics, and physicians, can access the training solution to improve patient care practices.
The training solution is spearheaded by collaboration with the external and internal development teams Revolve Labs, North East Essex Training Hub, and Eastern Education Group.
It appears the service aims to create more engaging patient care learning modules that steer away from traditional methods that take place in lecture halls.
Speaking to the BBC, Dr. David Cargill, a GP at Stowhealth in Stowmarket, explained:
We’ve had two focus groups evaluating the training modules for some time now and the results are very positive. It’s a totally immersive experience that is so much more effective than sitting in a lecture or a face-to-face tutorial. When you experience the training, you immediately feel empowered to put it into practice with a patient. It takes you through different scenarios and allows you to consult specialist advice on how to deal with the difficult questions patients often ask.
To access the learning service, the region’s NHS worker can leverage a fully immersive experience via a VR headset or opt for a more accessible experience via a mobile or laptop to experience the two-hour modules.
Hamish Mackenzie, Founder of Revolve Labs, also added:
The Insight Programme uses the power of virtual reality to create immersive educational experiences. Our approach facilitates faster, deeper and longer lasting learning compared to face-to-face or e-Learning methods. VR training enables professionals to build the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to improve the patient experience and strengthen team performance.
Swansea Uni Leverage Immersive Spaces for Healthcare Training
Furthermore, Swansea University’s Faculty of Medicine, Health, and Life Sciences opened a Simulation and Immersive Learning Centre (SUSIM) that provides its students with interactive immersive wall projections to simulate chosen healthcare procedures as a shared virtual space.
The Swansea Learning Centre is powering its immersive collaboration space with 33 Epson EB-PU1006W 6,000-lumen 3LCD laser projectors to create wall-based immersive training environments.
The projectors leverage its visuals mixed with cameras, microphones, smell technologies, and physical props like mannequins to simulate various patient care and operation scenarios in a repeatable manner that does not infringe on safety.
Currently, the integrated camera systems allow students to interact with the immersive wall via touch inputs, helping create a fully immersive space without needing a headset.
The programme is in its early stages; however, with other projection-based immersive technology emerging from groups like Texas Instruments, the Swansea use case may be an example of times to come.