Virtual reality for palliative medicine.
The technology of virtual reality (VR) offers several advantages in the field of medicine because it enables us to practice medical procedures repeatedly, and can provide a variety of experiences by using virtual organs in different patients. It also aids in learning about a clinical procedure and facilitates objective evaluation by a supervisor. In the field of clinical oncology, a virtual environment can be useful for simulating surgery, diagnosing cancer invasion, obtaining informed consent or enhancing patient education, and for clinical communication using network-based VR. This technology can also be used to improve a patient's living conditions and to treat the psychological problems and/or stress of cancer patients. In the present chapter advanced VR research for palliative medicine at the National Cancer Center Hospital Japan is described and discussed.
Oyama
H
H
Medical Virtual Reality Development Lab., National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
D003198:Computer Simulation; D003199:Computer Systems; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014584:User-Computer Interface