Once representing a niche market of specialty applications, virtual reality (VR) has been integrated into a broad portfolio of healthcare activities, including clinical IT systems, operating rooms, schools of medicine and treatment programs for returning U.S. soldiers, according to Kalorama Information’s recent report Virtual Reality (VR) in Healthcare in the U.S.
According to the report, in 2010, the U.S. market for VR applications in healthcare reached approximately $670 million in sales. The market enjoyed a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 10 percent during the 2006-2010 period. Kalorama Information projects market growth to continue at a greater rate through 2015 as equipment and technology spending recovers among U.S. healthcare service providers.
“Virtual reality products have made a profound impact on patient outcomes and the daily workflow of physicians,” says Emil Salazar, market analyst for Kalorama Information. “The once-touted and projected ‘potential’ of VR for healthcare has translated into operational benefits for clients and real market opportunities for original equipment manufacturers, R&D companies and medical software developers. Healthcare VR product providers are well positioned to build upon established client markets and their sales in the U.S. healthcare industry.”
I believe this is going to be a critical trend in the training and ongoing education of physicians, surgeons and dental professionals in the years to come. We will have fewer pigs on pentobarbital, and more professionals learning in very real looking surroundings in their offices.
Granted, there remains additional experiential components, but on balance, it has the potential to measurably improve the quality of delivered care.
Agree? Disagree?
