Did you know that almost 3 million people across the world have been tested positive for the dreaded COVID-19? With no sure-shot medication or vaccine currently available, it is becoming exceedingly difficult for medics across the world to protect and safeguard people from this deadly virus.

With a growing gap between the demand and supply of doctors and nurses to combat the COVID-19, hospitals are actively training staff towards specific training for the COVID-19 pandemic with the help of Virtual Reality (VR). 

Doctors have been using VR in medicine for several years for physical as well as psychological therapy along with providing VR training for doctors who are involved in surgical studies. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, medics are now relying on the advantages of virtual reality in medicine to prepare medical staff for dealing with Coronavirus cases. 

Using VR to Prepare for the Coronavirus Battlefront

COVID Specific Training at Cedars Sinai Hospital: 

The Cedars Sinai Hospital which is a non-profit hospital located in Los Angeles, California has been using VR therapy for pain management for many years. Currently, it has integrated VR simulation as a part of its dynamic training program for COVID-19 treatment. 

With the help of VR’s real-life health simulations, more than three hundred doctors at Cedars Sinai have learned several life-saving skills related to COVID-19 treatment including:

• • Conducting CPR while wearing protective equipment
  • Using of ventilators 
  • Diagnosis of patient health based on medical history and reports
  • Assessment of patient treatment.

Use of Oxford Medical Simulation:

A lot of research facilities and medical colleges including the University of New England and New York University are using virtual simulation technology offered by Boston-based Oxford Medical Simulation to train medical staff to cope with the impact of COVID-19. 

Oxford Medical Simulation recreates real-life situations to help staff respond faster and more efficiently to actual conditions. Some of their simulations include a patient gasping for air or patient vomiting blood. 

It also helps create a realistic platform for trainees to understand how to check the patient’s lung condition or stomach while wearing protective gear. There is also an option of virtually learning how to wear protective gear as soon as possible. 

All trainees need is a VR headset or a tablet to recreate these situations either at home or in the hospital. 

Studying the Impact of COVID-19 on Lung Health at GW Hospital

George Washington Hospital has been using virtual reality technology for the last four years for patient education and teaching medics surgical skills. 

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, has created a 360-degree view of COVID-19 patient’s lungs with the help of virtual reality technology to study the impact of the coronavirus on the lungs. The VR technology is helping medical experts at GW Hospital to study the long-term impact of the COVID-19 on lung damage. 

Advantages of Virtual Reality in Medicine

There are numerous advantages of virtual reality in medicine to not only doctors and nurses but also patients including:

• Facilitates social distancing—no need of actually going close to the patient
• Prevents the spread of the contagion due to lack of contact
• Provides realistic simulations including sound to help trainees cope with real-life threats and risks
• Practical experience and repeated practice session helps trainees develop better accuracy and experience
• Helps develop better teamwork within the team
• Improved safety of patients as well as medical staff
• Facilitates the storage and sharing of patient data that can be accessed by medical experts from across the world. 

The deadly effects of Coronavirus have changed the way the world lives. And VR is going to change the way health experts cope with the coronavirus.