A digital healthcare revolution is changing the human experience. Virtual reality (VR) or immersive technology is creating a significant leap in the health and wellbeing space—transforming healthcare by leveraging technology. The therapeutic use of VR can assist us in living the good life—the healthy life. Technology used in this way may hold the key to teaching us how to deconstruct fear and anxiety—the experience of suffering—and enhance our wellbeing. Because VR can evoke a cognitive state, researchers are measuring the behavioral responses.

Medicine promises to become the biggest vertical market for the use of VR. Some believe the deepest and most significant impact technology currently can make is in clinical, medical and the healthcare industry.

Medicine promises to become the biggest vertical market for the use of VR.  Recent research has demonstrated that VR is changing healthcare outcomes by structuring it—by augmenting it—by replacing it. Dr. Durnell discusses how advances in virtual reality are changing patient results.

The goal of this course is to prepare students to understand new technologies, the effect they can have on behavioral change and the potential for impacting humanitarian relief, civic engagement, social infrastructures and therapeutic innovations. This course will strive to provide current information, varying perspectives and will be practical and informed by theory and research. Every week students will be introduced to a different technology, technological application or technology solution, such as AI, AR, VR, robotics and technology-driven healthcare.

Speaking at APA on In Group/ Out group Bias and how virtual reality (VR) can bring insight into this form of favoritism toward one's own group or derogation of another group. An in-group is a group of people who identify with each other based on a variety of factors including gender, race, religion, or geography. The tendency to distinguish between in-group and out-group members has moral implications.