Virtual Reality in Medicine
13. September 2023On 24 March 2023, the Institute of Healthcare Sciences hosted a lecture and workshop on the use of virtual reality (VR) in medicine.
The lecture was delivered by doc. MUDr. Michal Filip, Ph.D., MBA, an expert in virtual reality applications in healthcare, head of the Centre for Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Virtual Reality at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, and former head of neurosurgery at Tomáš Baťa Regional Hospital in Zlín. Since 2020, in collaboration with the VR Life company, a multidisciplinary team of leading experts from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ostrava, Ostrava University Hospital, and TBU’s Faculty of Applied Informatics (FAI) has been developing therapeutic VR modules for patients, particularly those with nervous and musculoskeletal disorders. Virtual reality is finding applications in various fields, including physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychology, neurosurgery, and neurology.
“The potential of this technology lies in training all healthcare professionals and novice surgeons. Numerous international studies have shown that VR-based surgical training significantly shortens the learning curve compared to control groups without VR. Our goal is to expand awareness of this technology in healthcare among students of both medical and non-medical professions,” said doc. Michal Filip about virtual reality.
In healthcare and medicine, VR technology is used not only for simulating neurosurgical operations but also for patients with nervous and musculoskeletal disorders caused by neurodegenerative diseases, post-stroke or post-traumatic conditions, and mental health issues. Virtual reality can thus complement the comprehensive therapy of patients of all ages in healthcare and social facilities.
Third-year students from the General Nursing programme not only had the opportunity to attend a lecture on virtual reality but also participated in a subsequent workshop, where they experienced the technology first-hand under the guidance of doc. Michal Filip as part of the prepared programme.
“A significant part of the programme prepared for students involved applying this technology in practical nursing care, particularly to support cognitive functions, breathing, mobility, or overall patient activation. The students were enthusiastic about the activities. They evaluated the implementation of VR in clinical practice and interactive teaching of nursing procedures and techniques very positively. We would welcome the opportunity to participate further in developing VR modules for healthcare, where nursing care also plays an irreplaceable role,” praised the lecture and workshop Dr. Petr Snopek, Vice Dean for Lifelong Learning.