Virtual reality (VR) therapy is changing the world of therapy. Chances are, you’ve at least heard of this innovative approach to therapy, but if you don’t know much about it, now is the time to learn more.
As a healthcare professional, you want to provide the best possible care to your patients. Therefore, you owe it to them to stay on top of the latest innovations — i.e., VR therapy — because they could change their lives for the better.
What is VR Therapy?
Virtual reality therapy (VR therapy) is the use of virtual reality technology for psychological or occupational therapy and in affecting virtual rehabilitation. The type of virtual technology can vary from using a computer and keyboard or using a modern virtual reality headset and allow patients to navigate through digital environments and complete task relevant to a treat a specific disorders or diseases. Examples of ailments treatable by VR therapy are stroke patients, eating disorders, autism, and especially psychiatric disorders.
Get Ahead of the Curve
VR therapy is still very new, so many providers don’t know a lot about it. By taking the time to learn about it now, you could bring this to your patients before it becomes an industry standard. Patients put their health in your hands, and this will allow you to serve them to the best of your ability.
Being an early adopter of VR therapy can also raise your profile, and help you attract more patients, especially those who struggle with different types of anxiety disorders, specific phobias, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and addiction. If you offer something other providers do not, you’ll gain a competitive advantage that will keep your waiting room full.
Diagnose Patients More Accurately
Some health conditions are easy to diagnose, but others are much trickier. Interview-based methods are typically used in the diagnosis of conditions like ADHD and Alzheimer’s, which can make them hard to pinpoint. VR therapy allows you to provide patients with the same scenarios across the board, making it possible to identify symptoms that might otherwise be impossible to test. Having more information in front of you will make it easier to determine the correct diagnosis.
Create Better Outcomes
Patients who undergo VR therapy can enjoy better results, because you’re able to provide tools that are otherwise unavailable — or not easily accessible.
For example, VR therapy is often used in conjunction with exposure therapy, which allows patients to be immersed in environments they fear. VR makes it possible for therapists to simulate these situations in a controlled, safe space, so patients can face their fears head-on, without any real threat.
Looking for a healthcare partner but aren’t sure where to look? Malone Healthcare is here to help. Contact us today to get started!
