3 Ways Augmented Reality Is Transforming Medical Education and Healthcare Marketing
by Daniel Wasser, MD, Cofounder, Photon Biomedical
September 15, 2016
Whether it is training physicians, medical residents or pharmaceutical/device representatives, across today’s healthcare industry there is an increasing trend to utilize technology to help educate and train individuals to practice, simulate, and better perform the core tasks of their occupation. At the forefront of this change is the incredible potential of augmented reality.
Augmented reality can be contrasted with its better-known “relative”, virtual reality (VR) since the latter creates a 3D world completely detaching the user from reality. There are two respects in which AR is unique: users do not lose touch with reality and it puts information into their line of sight as fast as possible. These distinctive features enable AR to become a driving force in the future of healthcare education and marketing.
Based on our experience developing medical animation and augmented reality solutions for the leading medical schools and pharmaceutical/device companies, we’ve picked up a few tips on how augmented reality can help to transform the educational experience at your institution:
1. Solve real educational/training problems
Much like other first adopters in technology, educators and trainers who adopt augmented reality must overcome a certain degree of institutional inertia. However, much like the first teachers to bring computers into the classroom, the innovative technology platform of augmented reality allows students to learn and train in exciting new ways. Whether it is through enhanced spatial learning, the ability to understanding how structures interrelate by magnifying different levels of magnification, or through improved instructional design, augmented reality has the potential to revolutionize a wide variety of subjects. Augmented reality can fill key learning gaps where existing educational tactics are limited or outdated in anatomy, physiology, cell biology, and pharmacology training, as well as enhance diagnosis and procedure simulation.
2. Build the right team
One of the key lessons we have learned in our experience working with numerous educational and industry partners is the need to launch an augmented reality initiative with the right team. By its very nature rolling out an augmented reality educational or marketing initiative requires bold and creative thinking across multiple disciplines (eg, medicine, education, technology) and a desire to place one’s organization at the forefront of technology and innovation. We have found that the most successful projects that we have been a part of were successful due to the incredible teamwork and enthusiasm of our partners for augmented reality.
3. Evolve and improve over time
Lastly, it is important to always be learning and improving over time. Photon Biomedical is committed to always offering the latest in augmented reality solutions for our healthcare education and marketing partners. We work closely to support our partners in pursuing potential education technology research grants, author peer-reviewed articles on the impact of our solutions, and meet the evolving marketing needs of our clients whether in medical education, pharmaceutical marketing, or surgical device planning markets.
To learn more about how Photon Biomedical can help achieve your insitution’s healthcare education or marketing needs, and schedule a free demo and needs assessment, find us at http://www.photonbiomedical.com/contact.
About the author Daniel Wasser, MD:
Dr Wasser is a physician and cofounder of Photon Biomedical. He is a strong believer in the power of technology to unlock new and innovative ways to educate and train individuals in the healthcare space. Dr. Wasser received his medical degree from Tel Aviv University and his BA from Cornell University. He can be reached at daniel@photonbiomedical.com.