Establishing Medical Extended Reality Labs Within Healthcare Institutions: A Nationwide Perspective

Area of Science:

• Medical technology
• Digital health
• Healthcare innovation

Background:

• Extended Reality (XR) technologies, encompassing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), offer transformative potential in healthcare and medical education.
• Despite clear benefits, establishing dedicated Medical Extended Reality (MXR) Labs presents multifaceted challenges.
• Understanding the establishment process and integration hurdles is crucial for successful MXR adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the process of establishing MXR Labs.
• To identify key challenges encountered during MXR Lab establishment and technology integration.
• To explore the motivations behind MXR Lab creation and their relationship with industry.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative research approach was employed.
• Focused interviews were conducted with directors of established XR research labs and centers.
• Thematic analysis was used to analyze interviewee responses.

Main Results:

• Motivations for establishing MXR Labs and their potential in healthcare were examined.
• Relationships between MXR Labs and industry partners were explored.
• Resistance to MXR technology adoption and funding challenges were identified as significant obstacles.

Conclusions:

• Insights into MXR Lab establishment can help future stakeholders navigate obstacles.
• Effective strategies are needed to overcome resistance and secure funding for MXR integration.
• This work aims to facilitate a smoother integration of MXR technology into medical education and clinical practice.