How Augmented Reality is Transforming the Healthcare Industry?

Posted by Nisharao on April 29th, 2019

Remember those realistic video games? It was augmented reality (AR) that brought in a different perspective to video gaming and took it to a whole new level. This innovative technology is increasingly being used across various sectors and industries to inform, educate and interact. Augmented reality has brought about a great transformation in the healthcare industry. Healthcare software solutions are being designed with augmented reality to give users a more interactive experience.

The various ways in which this technology is used in healthcare software development solutions are:

AR-guided Guidance for Surgery Training

Augmented reality is replacing expensive mannequins and models used in training medical students in complex surgeries. The technology overlays preoperative imaging data over the live video, allowing surgeons to visualise the subsurface structures clearly. AR-powered surgical training helps improve accuracy. It also reduces the cost of training nearly 10X times.

AR Visualisation Improves Surgery Accuracy

Apart from training, augmented reality is also used in live surgeries. Advanced AR systems track every movement of the surgical tool, which helps surgeons focus on the tool rather than look at monitors and other equipment. Secondly, the use of this technology also reduces the need for x-rays and scans, which further decreases patient’s exposure to radiation.

AR for Affordable Pain Treatment

A study shows that nearly 80% of amputees suffer from phantom pain after surgery. Healthcare software solutions have been developed that pair mirror therapy (traditionally used for pain treatment) with AR to offer an affordable alternative treatment for such patients. The best part is that this treatment has no side effects.

Visualising Pathological Information as 3D Models

AR-powered systems are designed to collate and collaborate patient data and convert them into 3-dimensional images that allow medical practitioners to get a “clear picture” of the patient’s health. Going forward, soon all medical data could be imaged using this process.

Fitness apps

One of the applications of AR in healthcare software development is fitness apps. This technology improves user interaction, engagement, competitiveness and encourages users to follow a fitness routine.

Augmented reality has completely changed the landscape of healthcare software solutions by bringing about more user interaction and making healthcare affordable.