Virtual Technologies in the Medical Professions - Creation of 360 - Degree Environments for Health Care Training

Abstract

This article presents a study of the advantages of virtual technologies in health education, as well as an attempt to answer the following questions. How XR could improve the educational process by boosting the current ratio of students to lecturers while maintaining the same level of efficacy. How XR technologies could provide access to critical knowledge around the clock without interfering with the workflow of healthcare facilities and without exposing patients to any undue risk. The practical application of a 360° virtual world for a clinical laboratory, central laboratory for sterilization and a virtual operating room all in partnership between the Healthcare Department of Angel Kanchev University of Ruse, The Yatrus Foundation IT Specialists and University Multidisciplinary Hospital for Active Treatment Kanev, Ruse. The virtual reality allows the trainees to explore, to make mistakes and learn from them before ultimately applying the real procedure on a patient.

Virtual Reality to Teach Students in Laboratories: A Bibliometric and Network Analysis

“…Examples of VR and Engineering education publications include experiments with a VR biomedical engineering lab and a VR electronics engineering lab . Additionally, examples of publications where VR and Training were cited together include experiments with a VR civil engineering Lab, a VR clinical Lab, and a VR Automotive Lab . The latest articles using both Computer-Based Learning and Undergraduate Education as keywords are related to Chemistry Education. , …”

360-Degree Virtual Reality Utilising Head-Mounted Devices in Undergraduate Nursing and Midwifery Education: A Scoping Review

“…A true VR medium is distinguished by utilising a Head-Mounted Display (HMD). This technology can provide users with the sensation of being "there" [4] by creating a user-centred 3D immersive environment [6]. This device is crucial to the creation of an immersive experience, as it transports the user's visual and auditory senses into a virtual environment [6].…”

“…The hallmarks of VR technology are immersion, presence, and interactivity. These features have greater potential in VR than in other forms of information technology [4] and can enable learners to become more actively involved in their learning. This can facilitate faster, more accurate, and easier cognitive engagement, which subsequently translates into improved learning for clinical practice [7].…”

“…Virtual Reality falls under the umbrella term "Extended Reality" (XR). XR is a comprehensive phrase that refers to technologies that combine aspects from both the real and virtual worlds [4]. Currently, VR, AR (augmented reality), and MR (mixed reality) are well-known technologies in this domain.…”

“…Currently, VR, AR (augmented reality), and MR (mixed reality) are well-known technologies in this domain. MR is defined as the combination of the real and virtual worlds, whereas AR is adding digital data into real-world scenarios [4].…”