The Applications of VR/AR in Healthcare, Focusing on Advancements in Surgical Training and Preoperative Planning, Aiming to Improve Patient Outcomes and Healthcare Education

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies propel the healthcare system into forward-looking surgical training, preoperative planning, and more groundbreaking applications. These immersive technologies enable simulations and interactivity that enhance medical education while vastly diminishing surgical errors and improving patient results. Traditional training often wrestles with ethical dilemmas, expensive price tags, or a lack of individualized approach. VR and AR are the solutions for the above challenges as they are scalable, cost-efficient, and highly customizable. The range of their applications goes further in a patient's mind by including mental health therapy, such as virtual aspects that treat PTSD and anxiety, and healthcare marketing by creating patient experiences that are informative and engaging. This study seeks to understand how VR and AR have been integrated into such areas, drawing evidence from other recent literature and quantitative data to evaluate their effectiveness as transformational influences. These results indicate how they democratize quality care in society by breaking geographical boundaries and cutting costs. They have, however, also enhanced the accuracy of procedures and promoted patient involvement and novel tools for learning for healthcare professionals. By representing VR and AR's scalability and cost-effectiveness, this research demonstrates that the favorable future extension of healthcare towards better outcomes and greater accessibility for all depends on making them seminal and indispensable.