Virtual Reality Meets Medical Education

Abstract

The goal of using Virtual Reality (VR) in medical education is to create next-generation educational tools which extend the flexibility and effectiveness of medical teaching, promote the development of lifelong learning, and gain acceptance within the mainstream academic community. VR-based visualization and training environments could provide beginning students with engaging and immersive 3-D views of anatomic structures and their spatial relationships. Surgical residents could learn new techniques or rehearse procedures before attempting the actual operations. An unlimited pool of virtual patients, combined with existing curricular opportunities, would increase the depth and breadth of clinical exposure, ensure the uniformity of training experiences, enhance skill acquisition, and ultimately improve the quality of health care delivery.