Cardiovascular Medicine
Patients living with congestive heart failure must carefully monitor their lifestyle in order to prevent progression of the disease process. By using virtual technology, patients are able to consult with physicians from the privacy of their home without the need for office visits. The information gained by virtual visits, CHF patients are better able to manage their condition and avoid hospitalization. The technology offers similar benefits for stroke victims.
Physicians using virtual programs enable patients to upload their blood pressure and blood sugar data to physicians for evaluation. In this way, Practitioners are better able to gauge patient progress and make medication alterations when needed. Thus, the technology saves the patients time and money that was once needed to make and attend office visits.
Medication Development
Using algorithms, pharmaceutical researchers are able to enter data into a program to learn how chemical compounds interact with and destroy bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The technology has provided insight into the mechanisms that cause microbes to develop resistance. In this way, scientists are better able to circumvent the problem and develop other means of ensuring that formulations make an impact on pathological organisms.
Pediatric Applications
Virtual technology helps make visits to health care providers less stressful for younger patients. Using technological programs that resemble video games, physical therapists help children learn the exercises needed for recovery. Autistic children learn socialization skills as programs teach them to adapt to real-world situations. Certain virtual games have also proven useful in reducing the pain experienced by burn patients.
Virtual Education
Medical schools that offer virtual technology to their students enable future physicians to better learn about anatomy, physiology and microbiology. Extremely detailed 3D virtual models provide students with a realistic look at body systems and the disease processes that hamper health. The technology also provides med students and surgeons with the means of improving their skills by exploring different methods to achieve the best surgical outcome.