Unlimited reality to transform healthcare, Deloitte managers say
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES—Unlimited reality, or the blend of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), could revolutionize the healthcare industry, according to two Deloitte managers. The immersive experience could enhance medical training and improve patient consultation.
According to Deloitte Consulting managing director Anwesha Dutta and manager Unnati Gupta, the new technology could change healthcare delivery for the better through enhanced human interactions.
“Unlimited reality technology could make it possible for patients to receive therapy in an immersive, customizable, safe, and, if required, anonymous environment,” they wrote.
For example, immersive VR solutions have made it possible for mental health doctors to perform assessments in a safe and personalized environment.
Citing scientific studies, the Deloitte managers noted that VR-based therapy has proven effective for psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
Other health systems have integrated such technologies to help cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy manage pain. Additionally, AR-enhanced hearing aids can boost sound perception through visual cues, which could help the elderly population live fuller lives.
“In the long term, as VR solutions become more mature, the technology could play a significant role in making health care more accessible and equitable,” they noted.
With regard to medical training, Unlimited Reality offers simulations that focus on reducing inefficiencies and improving learning, which aim to produce better outcomes for patients and healthcare systems.
“As the possibilities of this unlimited reality continue to unfold, there could be a revolution that transcends physical boundaries and opens new horizons for all health care stakeholders,” Dutta and Gupta wrote.
