Could Virtual, Augmented Reality Augment Medicine?

Augmented reality superimposes digital information on top of a natural sensual experience; the now terminated Google Glass was an early application. Virtual reality creates an immersive simulated environment in which, for example, turning one’s head around causes the imagery to turn as well, and it can be displayed in 3-D.
While speakers at the event extolled the technologies and predicted widespread medical implementation one day, they were careful to note they are not advocating for either version of reality to replace real practitioners. “This is an additional tool,” University of Southern California computer scientist Arno Hartholt said of a virtual reality program for treating psychiatric disorders that he works with. “The tool still needs clinician guidance.”
Read the full article on MedPage Today.