Journal of Patient Experience (Jun 2023)

The Role of Immersive Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in Medical Communication: A Scoping Review

  • Ibrahim Aliwi MBChB,
  • Vico Schot MSc,
  • Michele Carrabba PhD,
  • Phuoc Duong MRCPh,
  • Silvia Shievano PhD,
  • Massimo Caputo MD, MCh,
  • Jo Wray PhD,
  • Adelaide de Vecchi PhD,
  • Giovanni Biglino PhD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735231171562
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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Communication between clinicians and patients and communication within clinical teams is widely recognized as a tool through which improved patient outcomes can be achieved. As emerging technologies, there is a notable lack of commentary on the role of immersive virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in enhancing medical communication. This scoping review aims to map the current landscape of literature on this topic and highlights gaps in the evidence to inform future endeavors. A comprehensive search strategy was conducted across 3 databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase), yielding 1000 articles, of which 623 were individually screened for relevance. Ultimately, 22 articles were selected for inclusion and review. Similarities across the cohort of studies included small sample sizes, observational study design, use of questionnaires, and more VR studies than AR. The majority of studies found these technologies to improve medical communication, although user tolerability limitations were identified. More studies are required, presenting more robust findings, in order to draw more definitive conclusions and stronger recommendations for use of immersive VR/AR in clinical environments.