Looking Beyond the Pond: How Virtual Reality Is Transforming Patient Safety in Medicine

As physicians, we are trained to listen, teach, and collaborate, often moving together like a shoal of fish, guided by the standard of care. This conservative approach ensures consistency and safety, but it can sometimes limit our perspective. One of the most exciting things a doctor can do is to peer outside the medical “pond” and draw inspiration from other fields. That’s exactly what led me to the nascent virtual reality (VR) revolution in 2016, a time when I began offering awake surgical procedures in my office setting.

For many patients, the idea of staying awake during a procedure was daunting. At least 30% of my patients expressed fear, often saying, “Just put me out, Doc. I don’t want to know anything about it.” Their anxiety was palpable, rooted in the unfamiliarity of being conscious during surgery. Meanwhile, outside of medicine, the entertainment world was becoming increasingly immersive, driven by humanity’s age-old addiction to storytelling—a “drug” that has evolved from oral traditions to the written word, radio, film, video games, and now virtual reality. VR, with its ability to envelop users in new worlds, offered a compelling solution to a medical challenge: how to make awake procedures less frightening and more tolerable.

This intersection of technology and patient care inspired my work with VR, which caught the attention of filmmaker Mike Eisenberg and his team at Tall Tale Productions. Their documentary, The Pitch: Patient Safety’s Next Generation, explores how technology can disrupt outdated practices in medicine, particularly in the realm of patient safety. I’m proud to be featured in this film, which highlights my use of VR to enhance the patient experience during awake procedures, reducing the need for anesthesia and its associated risks.

Why VR Matters in Medicine

Humans have always been captivated by immersive experiences. From the first cave paintings to modern video games, storytelling has shaped how we perceive and process the world. VR takes this to the next level, offering a fully immersive environment that can distract, calm, and engage patients in ways traditional methods cannot. In my practice, VR has become a powerful tool to ease anxiety, allowing patients to undergo procedures without the blanket of general anesthesia. By transporting them to serene virtual landscapes or engaging narratives, VR helps patients feel safe and in control, even in the midst of a surgical procedure.

This approach isn’t just about comfort—it’s about safety. Anesthesia, while generally safe, carries risks, especially for certain patients. By minimizing its use, we reduce complications, shorten recovery times, and empower patients to take an active role in their care. The Pitch dives into this concept, questioning why medicine tolerates preventable risks and showcasing how innovators are using technology to redefine what’s possible.

The Pitch: A Documentary That Challenges the Status Quo

Directed by Mike Eisenberg, The Pitch: Patient Safety’s Next Generation is a thought-provoking exploration of safety in medicine. Eisenberg, whose previous work includes To Err Is Human: A Patient Safety Documentary, brings a keen eye to the ways technology can transform healthcare. The film features stories of innovators, including my work with VR, who are pushing boundaries to make medicine safer and more patient-centered.

Released on September 17, 2024, The Pitch is available to stream or purchase on major platforms, including:

You can also catch it for free (with ads) on platforms like The Roku Channel or Fandango at Home, making it accessible to a wide audience. The official trailer, available on YouTube watch here, offers a glimpse into the film’s powerful narrative.

Looking Ahead: A Safer, More Innovative Future

Medicine thrives when we embrace new ideas and challenge old assumptions. My journey with VR began by looking beyond the medical field, drawing inspiration from the immersive technologies reshaping entertainment. Today, it’s helping patients face procedures with confidence and reducing risks in ways I never imagined when I first stepped into a clinic.

The Pitch: Patient Safety’s Next Generation is more than a documentary—it’s a call to action. It challenges us to rethink how we deliver care and to leverage technology to make medicine safer, more compassionate, and more effective. I invite you to watch the film, share your thoughts, and join the conversation about the future of patient safety.

Have you experienced VR in a medical setting, or do you have ideas about how technology can improve healthcare? Connect with me on X to keep the discussion going. And don’t forget to check out The Pitch on your favorite streaming platform—it’s a story worth experiencing.

Similar Posts