Virtual reality (VR) is opening new frontiers in both medical education and patient treatment. Medical students can practice complex procedures in realistic virtual environments without risk to actual patients, gaining experience and confidence before operating on real people.

For patients, VR offers innovative therapeutic applications. Pain management studies show VR can reduce perceived pain during procedures. Mental health applications use VR exposure therapy to treat phobias, PTSD, and anxiety disorders in controlled, safe environments.

Surgical planning has also benefited from VR, allowing surgeons to explore patient anatomy in three dimensions before making the first incision. As VR technology becomes more accessible and affordable, its applications in healthcare will continue to expand.