For the things we have to learn before we can do them,
we learn by doing them.”
- Aristotle
Why might healthcare companies adopt AR for corporate training?
In just about any field of work that involves complex procedures or maneuvering, the potential for AR to provide a safe, scalable, more efficient, or realistic practice environment is huge. Due to resource wear-and-tear saving, ability to practice in a no-harm environment, and efficiencies gained with AR training over using textbook style manuals or even workstations, a report by Gartner predicts AR will increase efficiency, productivity, and increase company profits significantly.
Most importantly, however, the true value of using AR to reduce medical errors cannot be understated. A recent article in the Harvard Business Review speaks to this important potential, including how AR is used to decrease medical errors, increase training and procedure efficiency, aggregating patient/procedure information, and reducing costs (Murthi & Varshney, 2018). |
Here are just some examples of AR in use by the healthcare industry TODAY!
- Use Case - Procedural training. CAE 3D modelling, on-demand procedural training for such things as surgical procedures, or new or high-risk techniques. CAE is using Microsoft Hololens to create this training experience!
- Use Case - Purdue University AR-based procedure guidance in conflict zones. help less-experienced doctors in war zones, natural disasters and in rural areas perform complicated procedures.
- Use Case - Spinal Surgery AR. Augmedics, founded in 2014, created a surgical technology that overlays spinal information directly on the spine of a patient via an AR headset. Rather than looking at a screen, surgeons are able to look directly at their patient with the AR information overlayed, resulting in safer outcomes and shorter surgeries.
AR Apps Currently Used for Medical
Training and Performance
Johnson & Johnson and Touch Surgery introduce their award winning, easy to use training simulation app, which helps surgeons learn and stay abreast of various surgical procedures. Touch Surgery has already been integrated into more than 100 top residency programs in the US (Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, Oxford, etc.), and is being used worldwide to help address global surgical inequality. The application consists of a large database of more than 150 simulations (with realistic 3D visualization) for various surgical procedures across 14 specialties.
What is interesting about touch surgery is that it has been validated by peer-reviewed research from unrelated medical organizations, such as a UK-based orthopedic team, a Stanford plastic surgery team, and a general surgery team in Germany. It has also been found to have a statistically significant positive training effect on specific surgical procedures and training efficiency. Despite initially being procedural, simulated training videos, in 2017 Touch Surgery enabled its content to be accessed via AR platforms such as Microsoft Hololens. |
Proximie leverages the ability to connect with other healthcare experts remotely. Using a mobile device, Proximie layers digitally created content on a live video stream, to provide “hands-on” virtual assistance. It enables a remote surgeon to virtually “scrub-in”.
The ‘remote’ surgeons can guide a case with commentary and screen markings, which the ‘local’ surgeons (performing the procedure) can see in real time on their own screen. Surgeons and/or residents can communicate through audio, screen annotations and direct messaging or links to other supporting videos. The video to the left demonstrates the use of Proximie for remote skin cancer surgery. |
What might the future bring for AR in corporate health care training?
In short, the future of AR in corporate healthcare training is huge. A report by Goldman Sachs estimates 800k EMTs and physicians using VR/AR by 2020 and 3.4 million by 2025, with an estimated AR revenue opportunity to be $1.2 billion by 2020, and $5.1 billion by 2025. Check out the following page to see more of what the future of AR in science and health may bring.
Page Author: Reg Surette