What Healthcare Can Learn from Pokemon GO
Gotta catch them all!
We are living in an interesting time in history where we are actively creating solutions to separate us from each other physically, while simultaneously increasing access to each other.
This has been going on for decades. The more convenient we make conversation the more impersonal it becomes. Before we used to send letters, we could only communicate face-to-face. Then we started communicating through the telephone, emails, and eventually text messages. All of these methods allowed for faster communication but in some ways, they removed us further from each other.
Then we had video call. This was heralded as the communication solution that will save humanity! But, there are studies done that show it is negatively affecting us. Stanford University conducted a study on “Zoom fatigue” and they were able to pinpoint four main reasons for it and gave some ways to combat it. The one I found the most fascinating was that in a video call we are confined and not able to move around. So the author recommends moving the camera far away so you are able to walk around during the meeting and still be in view. They also advise you to only do this if you are properly dressed. We don’t want to be seeing “Zoom Fail” videos with people using this technique.
This all brings me to virtual reality (VR). the whole premise of virtual reality is to immerse yourself in a digital world. Meta is talking about making future meetings in virtual reality where we are all in a virtual meeting room, being able to talk to each other, and even having sidebar conversations as we do in in-person meetings. In theory, this all sounds great but why did we skip augmented reality (AR) and jump straight into VR?
For those who do not know, augmented reality is defined as “an enhanced version of reality created by the use of technology to overlay digital information on an image of something being viewed through a device (such as a smartphone camera)”
Basically, it is technology superimposed onto reality. One of the first technologies that really brought this concept to the mainstream was google glass. I still remember when it came out I was so excited. Unfortunately, it never caught on. The use cases at the time were small and the technology just wasn’t there completely. Interestingly google is still working on google glass but they are more focused on enterprise and supply chain.
AR helps us stay in the moment
I think this is one of the most important reasons why. AR by its definition doesn’t remove us from our reality. It just seeks to augment it. It overlays data onto our physical world. Think of it like Iron Man’s assistant J.A.R.V.I.S. It presented him with information overlayed on to the real world so that he could protect the universe!
A great example of AR is Pokemon GO. It got everyone out of their homes and helped connect many people. In some cases, it made them healthier by increasing their activity. Now imagine Pokemon GO as a VR game. It completely changes it and takes away the connections we developed with others and our environment.
The goal of all new wearable tech is to keep our eyes away from our phones. But even with those, you have to look down at your watch or device. With this, you would just keep your gaze where it is, the information gets superimposed into your field of view.
How is this helpful in healthcare?
The number one place I can see this being helpful is when speaking to a patient. You can have information pulled up about the patient and we can be present in the conversation rather than starting at our computers. We could look up information during the conversation. Record the interaction if necessary and have artificial intelligence write a note for us. That will be a topic for a future newsletter. There are some companies out there doing this already.
It could be as simple as your patients being able to navigate your hospital because AR can guide them to their destination. Similar to google maps, but inside a building.
If you are working remotely you can take the meeting anywhere or if you are in an in-person meeting you could have a presentation in your field of view so no one has a bad seat!
It can be used in education. Set up an environment that allows students to work through problems, surgeries, etc.
The possibilities are literally endless.
To me, AR is more exciting than VR because it allows us to be a part of our world. Don’t get me wrong I think VR has its place and can be a very powerful tool when used properly. AR can do almost everything that VR can do but it can do it while keeping us grounded in the real world. And in a world where we seem to become more and more removed from reality, AR can at least help us stay more connected.
Every week I share a random fact about myself. This week’s fact is…
Random fact about me: I moved to America in 1994
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