Virtual Reality and Medicine

March 15, 2018
Grades 8-12 A brief history of 3-D and virtual reality (VR) kicks off this insightful look at the applications of VR in the medical field. VR as a training tool may seem obvious, but readers will be surprised to learn that VR bodies have begun replacing cadavers at many medical schools, and telementoring lets less experienced doctors directly observe skilled practitioners at work. VR technologies also allow doctors to stimulate specific parts of a patient's brain and fine-tune their treatment. Even VR games have a place in hospitals, as they offer valuable distraction from pain or boredom. Similarly, rehabilitation programs will use VR to encourage patients during physical therapy. This Next-Generation Medical Technology series (5 titles) entry is illuminating, well researched, and timely, making it an excellent addition to teen STEM collections.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)