The Digital Revolution in Healthcare: How AI and VR are Changing the Face of Medicine
With the world shifting to a more digital reality, industries must keep up in order to thrive and meet consumer expectations- with the healthcare industry included. From being traditionally slow to adopting new technologies, recent events such as COVID-19 has forced a technological shift in the sector to adapt to the new digital age. With the emergence of remote monitoring as opposed to in person appointments had huge benefits for all parties. This only lighted the fire for the implementation of technology within healthcare to give the best treatment to patients possible. There are still huge opportunities for the healthcare sector to seize, especially within the domains of two special emerging technologies
VR and AI. We’ve all heard of it, some of us may have even had experiences with them. Presenting limitless opportunities in many industries to perform activities outside the current reality and enhancing current operations. But what are they exactly? Anca Cristian describes VR to be one of the most interesting and life changing domains introduced to the world where the human senses are aroused just as the are in reality.
Wasif Ramtoola also describes AI to be a smart technology that processes human inputs such as speech, which can be used to communicate information back to you. AI’s capabilities far exceed humans when it comes to data processing and complex decision making, which make it an advanatage to utilise for many industries.
Medical training
VR and AR’s implementation in the healthcare industry doesn’t just stop at benefitting the patient, but can also be an amazing tool for doctors, surgeons and medical practitioners alike! There is huge importance for the improvement of medical training as an area for development. A study published by BMC Medical Education found that there is a need for better quality teaching within medical training, especially within improving the training of foundational skills such as communication to a higher standard.
Taking medical training to a new level, VR presents the opportunity for medical staff to practice procedures in fully controlled, risk-free reality. Procedures like operations can be simulated to maximise success when operating on patients. Using haptic technology in VR is game-changing to say the least, as this technology replicates the feel of an environment allowing users to be fully immersed. This also allows users to sense changes in force and motion, creating the most life-like enviornment possible. This is particularly important for trainee surgeons for example, where small movements are the difference between life and death. Where nerves are inevitable and practice is everything, VR helps minimise this risk. Having practiced surgeries in a similar environment, nothing else can build more confidence to a beginner surgeon.
Artificial intelligence (AI) can also work hand in hand with VR to create new opportunities for Medical Training, through creating life-like scenario’s with patients generated by AI that respond to the trainee’s actions. Experiencing unprecedented and likely situations can not only help build confience, but allows the user to practice the best course of action when it comes to patients. The BMC Medical Educational study also highlighted the importance of adequate training in hopes of tackling more complex scenarios, which the implementation of AI can help with greatly where many scenarios are practiced. This can help hone, test and develop the communication and decision making skills of trainee doctors and nurses, creating a more advanced workforce within healthcare. Both technical and soft skills can be developed such as empathy, communication and even the practice of building a patient-doctor relationship is invaluable to becoming a great professional.
Robots?
Robots- the highly anticipated technological invention that will change the world forever as everyone believes. What else screams the FUTURE more than robots? As technology develops and prototypes are made to aid many industries, the healthcare sector is not a stranger to these futuristic inventions. Through the use of robotics and AI, healthcare can become even more accessible rather than being dependent on a physical proffessional.
One example of this is PHAROS- an interactive robotic system used to aid the elderly by monitoring daily activity and exercise. Where doctors can’t monitor patients and all they can do is advise them, PHAROS takes this further by ensuring goals are met. Through utilising deep learning techniques, PHAROS produces data on performance and can even provide video demonstrations to minimise the risk of injury for elders. Implementing robots into care homes can ensure health is a priority for the elderly rather than an afterthought. As well as improved physical health, research reports that frequent exercise across all ages can have extremely positive effects on well-being and mental health, as well as quality of life.
So, the big question is, can AI and VR really revolutionise the healthcare sector? As we have explored, the capabilities of these new technologies is mind-blowing to say the least. Surely they should already be taking over healthcare right! Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy as that, there are many implications and downsides that may not only halt the use of this tech, but make us question whether the benefits outweigh the costs.
Research suggests that while implementing AI into healthcare can definitley ease the pressure on overcrowded and understaffed hospitals, there are many ethical and financial factors that need to be considered. The use of robots in a sensitive and vulnerable environment may not be a sufficient replacement for a one to one human connection, where empathy and communication are key to build patient rapport. The lack of emotional support provided by AI technologies can be damaging to patients through not offering emotional support when needed.
Another big disadvantage to the wide use of AI and VR in healthcare is the high costs needed to implement and maintain these technologies- at a high level especially. With robotics there are not only high start-up costs but also the risk of damage which results in high repair and maintenence costs. VR also being a new technology means things like software updates, bugs and technical issues may arise- where the time taken o fix these issues can be better used elsewhere.
