Baltimore-based University of Maryland School of Medicine announced plans to establish a new center focused on the development of virtual reality and augmented reality for use in clinical trials and medical care.
The center, dubbed Center for Medical Innovations in Extended Reality, funded by a $4.75 million grant from the National Science Foundation, will work on projects that use virtual reality to educate, train and improve patient care in those who are critically ill, according to a May 10 press release.
"Immersive technologies have the potential to fundamentally change, improve and reduce the cost of medical training and maintaining clinical skills across all aspects of healthcare," said Sarah Murthi, MD, associate professor of surgery at University of Maryland School of Medicine. "They also have the huge potential to improve patient care, in everything from how pain is managed to how procedures are performed."
The award is part of National Science Foundation's Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers program, designed to jumpstart breakthrough research by creating engagement between industry innovators, academic teams and government agencies.