Virtual reality (VR) is important link the capacity to interact with a digitally reproduced environment or object that mimics an actual-world experience for the user. In healthcare settings, the technology can be used to enhance movement for patients undergoing rehabilitation or to keep them occupied and relaxed during medical procedures. VR is still in the beginning of its use and adoption within the clinical practice. This article offers an overview of the challenges and facilitators to the implementation VR in healthcare settings.
The majority of barriers found in this study were related to the adoption system and organization categories of the NASSS framework, particularly the requirements of healthcare professionals to be educated and trained on VR, the absence of research and evidence regarding the value of VR in the treatment context and the perceived low self-efficacy and confidence to apply and use VR during patient care. A number of studies have suggested using methods of behavioral change, such as education and training or intervision groups to support clinicians’ decision-making processes regarding VR.
Facilitators were not as often identified, such as the young age of patients who may be more open to technology and feel more comfortable with it, or the fact that VR could create an immersive and interactive learning environment that stimulates the mind and promotes greater understanding of complex scientific concepts. VR’s ability of re-creating real-world scenarios, such as the surface or structure of atoms, is a powerful educational tool that lets students investigate and experiment with abstract and complex concepts.