Open AccessVirtual Reality in Clinical Practice and Research: Viewpoint on Novel Applications for Nursing
Author(s) -
Hyojin Son,
Alyson Ross,
Elizabeth Mendoza-Tirado,
Lena J. Lee
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
jmir nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2562-7600
DOI - 10.2196/34036
Subject(s) - virtual reality , nursing , clinical practice , health care , instructional simulation , nursing practice , medicine , psychology , computer science , human–computer interaction , economics , economic growth
Virtual reality is a novel technology that provides users with an immersive experience in 3D virtual environments. The use of virtual reality is expanding in the medical and nursing settings to support treatment and promote wellness. Nursing has primarily used virtual reality for nursing education, but nurses might incorporate this technology into clinical practice to enhance treatment experience of patients and caregivers. Thus, it is important for nurses to understand what virtual reality and its features are, how this technology has been used in the health care field, and what future efforts are needed in practice and research for this technology to benefit nursing. In this article, we provide a brief orientation to virtual reality, describe the current application of this technology in multiple clinical scenarios, and present implications for future clinical practice and research in nursing.