Dr Alex George, a celebrity healthcare professional experiences XR healthcare training first-hand
Recently, Dr Alex George, a celebrity healthcare professional, visited an NHS training space at the University of Hertfordshire, where student doctors and nurses are leveraging Meta Quest 3 hardware for training and upskilling opportunities.
Referring to his experience of the Quest-led immersive training, Dr George noted that “I’ve never been more impressed tech-wise.”
Dr George added:
I trained at Peninsula Medical School in Exeter and everything was done by watching lectures or performing scenarios on mannequins, and while mannequins have a role, it’s not lifelike – you don’t get the fear or the pressure you’ll be under in that situation.
Complementing the doctor’s traditional training of years past, where “most of the work” was book-based, new immersive practice and training provide a wealth of new benefits in safe, engaging, and repeatable virtual scenarios.
Dr George said:
All of the students I spoke to said it was amazing. And they enjoyed it – it was fun. I wanted to carry on myself, and I’ve already got my medical degree.
The doctor also noted that ”the more effective the training, the better.” However, Dr George explained that while MR cannot solve all the current issues facing the NHS, the technology can have a sustainable positive effect on training and upskilling.
Dr George explained:
I’m not saying that MR is going to solve the issues that we’re facing [in the NHS], but if you feel better prepared as a junior doctor or nurse and you’ve been able to practice scenarios over and over again, you feel more confident. And that has a wider implication and positive impact on training and resourcing as well.
Potential Benefits of MR Training
Dr George also noted that “there are potential benefits in MR in terms of mindfulness and mental health in general – for breath work, meditation, and so on. I think there are clear benefits there.”
While immersive healthcare training offers many wonderful prospects, the avenue is not perfect. There are various potential optimisations from a usage and adoption point of view. ” It’s just like anything that’s new. I think it takes time for people to get used to it and adapt. It’s like a new way of living,” Dr George remarked.
Dr George said:
Technology gets a bad rap for some things. Sometimes it deserves it, with social media and so on. But I think that when we use tech for a positive thing, I think we should really recognise and celebrate that.
The news comes after a study by Dimension Market Research found that the global market for AR and VR in healthcare could reach $19.6 billion by 2033, with a projected 20.2 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
The report also states that the current market value 2024 is $3.7 billion, indicating a projected increase of approximately $15.2 billion. Specifically, the North American AR/VR healthcare market is leading the industry’s growth, with the region accounting for 51.1 per cent of the market’s revenue in 2024.
According to Dimension Market Research, the region’s growth is attributed to increased technology adoption, substantial research and development investments, and government support, all driving industry growth.
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