5 benefits of AR in the healthcare industry

Updated on May 13, 2020

Several life sciences companies are utilizing Augmented Reality to bring in several new therapies to life. They combine both virtual and physical worlds. AR significantly helps to produce affluent and interactive experiences that display how newly introduced drugs and other medical devices react with the body. Using the Augmented Reality technology, branding teams and content writers can provide a great force to their field and engage healthcare professionals. AR also helps healthcare professionals to illustrate their patients better how the treatment is helpful to them.  

AR is used in a plethora of varied areas, right from explaining the state of a disease, treatment procedures, the working of a medical device, enhancing the quality of education on complex topics, and differentiating with the help of more powerful branding, etc.  

There are several AR applications in varied industries, and all these applications are believed to support an array of several industrial sectors. AR has been successfully used in a plethora of industries such as gaming, marketing, defense and military, retail, real estate, etc. Moreover, it is predicted by the industry analysts that the AR market around the globe will grow by about 23% until 2023. Already AR is used in a plethora of areas in the healthcare industry.  

Moreover, the AR and VR market is predicted to have over 3.4 million users worldwide. It will also be worth $5.1 billion in the next few years. The future of these technologies seems to have a significant impact on user experiences. Till then, let us know how Augmented Reality is advantageous for the healthcare industry.  

Benefits of AR in the healthcare industry 

Training and Development 

Skilled staff is an asset for every industry, and so is for the healthcare industry. Hence, it is crucial to keep the medical staff updated with new technologies and train them. AR is very beneficial and comes as an effective way by creating an enormously engaging experience with the help of varied sensor inputs. AR is useful and is believed to be one of the best learning tools that create immersive content.  

Enhancing Access 

Access to crucial information about the health of patients is generally restricted in the healthcare industry. However, the concept of telemedicine has made access to vital information possible through several devices in a reliable manner. Information can now be accessed through phone, other smart devices, the internet, etc.  

AR can aid such consultations and facilitate surgical methods to be carried out efficiently in varied locations. The surgeons use different ARs to collaborate with and guide their colleagues and co-staff. It helps them observe what is going on and how the surgery is done in real-time. Hence, access to information is enhanced with AR.  

Assisting Practice 

AR assists medical staff in varied ways, right from helping them with training to aiding them in diagnosis. It aids several tasks of medical professionals efficiently. There are a plethora of AR apps introduced in the market that makes processes like 3D visualization of internal organs, projecting anatomical cross-sections into a patient, and so on. AR has an immersive nature, and it is highly beneficial for the healthcare industry as well.  

Engaging patients 

Another significant benefit of AR observed in the healthcare industry is its enhancement of uses that enables the patients to manage their health. Varied AR-powered apps provide several unique perspectives. A representation of 3D-anatomical is included that demonstrates the structure of an eyeball. Patients can self-analyze by downloading this application for free on iPhone or iPad, and encounter any bending in their vision.  

Adoption of New Technologies 

Innovative technologies are arriving up every day. The techniques promise to provide more significant benefits to the healthcare industry. AR helps to mitigate the challenges faced by the healthcare industry regarding the adoption of new technologies. Several AR-powered applications help vendors reach out to their potential customers globally at any point in time, and they can offer in-depth demonstrations. Medical staff can also be trained, following a purchase.  

The bottom line 

With AR becoming mature, user-friendly, and affordable, plenty of life sciences companies should evaluate the use of this essential concept to communicate, engage, and educate Health Care Professionals. This will ultimately enhance patient outcomes and their preference as a brand.  

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.