Open AccessExtended Reality for Enhanced Telehealth During and Beyond COVID-19: Viewpoint
Author(s) -
Triton Ong,
Hattie Wilczewski,
Samantha R. Paige,
Hiral Soni,
Brandon M. Welch,
Brian E. Bunnell
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
jmir serious games
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2291-9279
DOI - 10.2196/26520
Subject(s) - telehealth , covid-19 , pandemic , telemedicine , health care , internet privacy , medicine , psychology , political science , computer science , virology , disease , pathology , outbreak , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread challenges and revealed vulnerabilities across global health care systems. In response, many health care providers turned to telehealth solutions, which have been widely embraced and are likely to become standard for modern care. Immersive extended reality (XR) technologies have the potential to enhance telehealth with greater acceptability, engagement, and presence. However, numerous technical, logistic, and clinical barriers remain to the incorporation of XR technology into telehealth practice. COVID-19 may accelerate the union of XR and telehealth as researchers explore novel solutions to close social distances. In this viewpoint, we highlight research demonstrations of XR telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss future directions to make XR the next evolution of remote health care.