The complexities of medical VR go beyond the mere technological issues. The associated ethical issues will also be compellingly significant. The accuracy of the representations created by the computer, the skill of the designer, and the preferences of the physician are all limiting factors in the validity of the reality that is possible.
Although the patient may have a choice among several virtual reality environments, that choice is likely to be more accommodating than in daily life. And what if the patient chooses to spend more time in the "virtual world" than in the "real world"? Could the virtual reality experience be addictive? Will alternative realities seduce people into being hypochondriacs? Virtual reality is also a valuable tool in the development of therapeutic drugs. During this process, researchers look for targets or areas on proteins where molecules of a specific drug will attach themselves. Imagine trying to find the right molecular key to fit into a unique molecular lock. If a chemical can be found that makes such a fit on the protein found on a tumor cell or a pathogenic bacterium, then that chemical is potentially useful in drug development.
Virtual reality techniques allow the experimenter to create computer-generated models of the receptor sites within a human protein while another model represents the atoms of a potential drug. A researcher then manipulates the two models, moving the drug around the protein until it binds with it. The system not only displays a visual "docking" of the molecules, but it also provides feedback that allows the researcher to feel the magnitude of attraction and repulsion between the molecules. Molecular docking systems also have potential in future protein design, including possible use in mapping the genetic code.
Virtual reality provides the opportunity to create controllable, repeatable environments. This technology can be used throughout the practice of medicine: to educate both patients and future health care practitioners, to practice surgical skills and diagnostic techniques, to enhance diagnosis and aid in treatment planning, and to design therapeutic drugs. As virtual reality technology is refined, its use in medicine is bound to increase dramatically.
It appears that commercially available virtual reality software programs, such as Second Life, could be a useful and effective means of training healthcare professionals and other emergency personnel in the skills. Public health planning agencies should be aware of the potential utility of virtual reality programs for increasing the frequency and depth of mass prophylaxis clinic training for first responders.
Using traditional, “live-rehearsal” methods, it is physically difficult to teach and train healthcare professionals and emergency personnel in appropriate mass prophylaxis clinic operations. Modern virtual reality systems, which function much like a computer or video game, are increasingly being used for educational and training purposes. Furthermore, users of the virtual reality simulation, many of whom have participated in real life training events, felt that it had the potential to be both informative and effective. Additional research is certainly warranted in the development of effective virtual reality environments for mass prophylaxis clinic training. We recommend that more comprehensive studies of this approach to online education be undertaken by research groups and public health planning agencies.