Remote connectivity company RealVNC has explained how augmented reality (AR) can deliver benefits in healthcare. At the same time, further potential exists for the technology, it said.
“Healthcare organisations worldwide are facing challenges to deliver precise, efficient care while dealing with more patients,” RealVNC noted via its website.
By using AR, clinical decision-making can become more efficient, delivered more quickly and across a wider area. As a result, hospitals, doctors and care providers can improve patient outcomes.
“It upgrades healthcare professionals’ abilities in surgical planning and medical training, with the possibility of remote collaboration,” RealVNC said.
AR can be used to overlay graphics, audio, and other digital data that can help inform a patient consultation. For example, people can — when appropriate — be seen faster than if they had to book an in-person appointment and travel to a clinic, the vendor noted.
AR can help connect medical professionals, boosting what they can do remotely via ‘virtual space’. Then, clinicians can access resources where they are to assist remote decision-making, RealVNC said.
For example, 3D models based on high-resolution scans can be overlaid directly onto patients. This can help medical professionals understand what’s going on inside a patient’s body at a given time.
Also, AI, AR and telepresence technologies can be combined in a surgical setting, or to deliver training or paramedicine remotely, as well as in other situations and sectors.
Remote connectivity powers AR use cases
“There are already FDA-cleared platforms that use headsets to project diagnostic imaging into real-world environments, helping surgical planning,” the vendor added.
And a study revealed that training diabetes patients with AI-based AR tools improved “disease literacy” by 47%, RealVNC said.
Read more examples of AR in healthcare in this Medical Futurist opinion article. And here is an Accenture case study.
Of course, many healthcare organisations currently struggle with affordability and complexity of AR. That said, most organisations can solve for the secure remote connectivity element.
RealVNC offers RealVNC Connect and Server. Features include end-to-end encryption and granular access controls. In addition, continuous monitoring via such solutions can support compliance.
“Encryption and access controls become essential for protecting sensitive patient records,” RealVNC noted.
( Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash )
