It has been roughly three decades since we first came to hear about the term Augmented Reality, or AR, and it has come a long way since. AR is a technology that allows us to have a view of the real world using computer-enhanced imagery. Basically, it is all about overlaying and creating an artificial environment out of a real, existing one.
Years ago, such a technology may have appeared to be too futuristic for anyone, if not nearly impossible. But indeed, augmented reality’s potential to literally change the world cannot be denied. In fact, we are already starting to see and experience how AR is re-shaping business industries, hotels, restaurants, and more. And we are just getting started. Things are about to get more exciting when augmented reality for healthcare is fully implemented by the healthcare industry. It’s already there, actually, and it’s creating more than a buzz.
Augmented Reality: The Future In Healthcare
Making healthcare systems available, accessible, and affordable to everybody has always been the priority of every healthcare service provider out there, but it’s a task that’s often easier said than done, even in the midst of all the breakthroughs in science and technology. But with augmented reality coming into the picture, there is much hope that whatever gaps exist will finally be filled.
AR Solves Accessibility Issues
Accessibility to doctor services remains an issue as the population continues to grow and as the number of physicians is decreasing. Many patients end up receiving lesser-quality services as the doctor tends to so many other patients, and others may not even receive much-needed service at all.
AR can change this, as the technology allows medical consultations to be done not necessarily in the hospital, facility, or even the doctor’s clinic. AR-powered applications can help doctors give medical consultations, diagnostic examinations, and even surgeries from a distance. This ability to reach out to any patient in any part of the world at any time means everybody gets a chance to receive quality medical care without having to go to a hospital or clinic.
AR Gives A Whole New Meaning To Training
Technology has made such a strong impact on how we live our lives. This technology is making waves where it concerns training new medical professionals with augmented reality. It provides trainees a real look of the situation and makes training more exciting and effective. With this technology, trainees will no longer simply imagine or come out with their own interpretation of everything that’s written in their textbooks because what they will be presented with is a real, 3D view of what’s in their medical books, online journals, and other resources.
AR provides students and trainees an interactive means to study, and it can be more effective this way. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience, to say the least, and surely, one that will have a lasting impact on the trainee
AR Helps Medical Professionals With Their Practice
Augmented reality as a doctor’s tool is very well-serving. They enable nurses and other medical professionals to go even more above and beyond with their jobs. Such smart applications can do so many incredible things, like providing 3D views of internal organs, finding veins and injection points, and so on.
AR Encourages Patients To Become More Proactive
Patients often find themselves at the mercy of their doctor. They tend to accept whatever it is their doctors tell them, sometimes, without even batting an eyelash. Well, this is going to change, as well, because, with the AR technology, patients have greater ability to take on a proactive role in treatment.
They themselves are able to see what’s really going inside their bodies, come to a better understanding of their condition, and so become confident when discussing their treatment options with their health care provider. AR also transforms the healthcare industry through its integration into applications that make it even possible for patients to occasionally self-diagnose their condition.
Final Thoughts
With augmented reality, it’s not exactly a whole new world out there. It is merely overlaying the world that’s already existing. Needless to say, AR is a game changer in healthcare. You can see how it is re-shaping the industry, making it more responsive to the needs of the patients. No wonder so many companies, medical and technological, are already into its adoption. It’s exciting now as it is, but it’s only just the beginning. We can definitely look forward to more developments in the years to come.
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