Extended Reality, or XR, is a fusion of technologies that connects the digital world with our tangible reality. XR uses both Augmented Reality (AR) – which overlays digital details on our real-world view, and Virtual Reality (VR) – which immerses us completely in a digital space.
XR is making a big impact in the UK’s healthcare system, particularly in education and clinical practice.
Imperial College Leads in XR Adoption
Imperial College London is not just talking about XR; they’re putting it into action. They have an upcoming course called “Extended Reality in Healthcare Education and Clinical Practice”.
The people behind this idea, James Kinross and Jason Lawson, believe that teaching with XR is the future. They argue that for students to truly understand, they need more than books and lectures.
Benefits of XR in Training and Practice
Seeing is Understanding:
Think about a medical student learning about a heart. With a textbook, they see a flat image. With XR, they can walk around a beating heart, see how blood flows, and even hear it beat.
Imperial College points out that XR can help students with “complex anatomy lessons, surgical skills, and emergency medical procedures.”
Better Patient Care, Even From a Distance:
Some people live far from hospitals or can’t travel. XR can help them see a doctor without leaving their home. The doctor might be far away, but for the patient, it feels like they’re sitting right across from them.
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Helping Patients Get Better, Faster:
XR can make physiotherapy fun. Instead of boring exercises, patients might walk on a virtual beach or climb a mountain. This makes them want to do their exercises and can help them recover quicker.
Some Specific Ways XR Helps in Healthcare
Learning by Doing:
Medical students can practice surgeries or procedures without any risk. They try things out, make mistakes, and learn, all in the virtual world.
Making Tough Surgeries Easier:
Before a complicated surgery, doctors can practice with XR. They see the problem, try out solutions, and are better prepared for the real thing.
Talking to Patients Without Being There:
With XR, doctors and patients can feel like they’re in the same room, even if they’re miles apart.
Doctors Working Together:
A doctor in Manchester might use XR to work with a doctor in Birmingham. They both see the same thing, talk about it, and find the best way to help the patient.
What’s Next for XR in UK Healthcare?
XR in healthcare is growing fast. By 2025, many believe it will be a standard tool in medical schools and hospitals across the UK.
The course at Imperial College London is just the beginning. It’s training the next group of doctors to use XR, and these doctors will change healthcare for everyone.
This is an exciting time for healthcare in the UK. With XR, doctors can learn better, patients can get better care, and everyone can benefit.
As more and more schools and hospitals start using XR, the UK will be at the front of this new healthcare revolution.
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