In September, Gulf Coast VA partnered with VA’s Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning’s immersive team to host a Veteran eXpeRience (VXR).
VA is defining a new reality in health care delivery and experience through immersive technology, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), collectively called extended reality (XR).
Immersive technology leverages the senses of sight, sound and touch to bring a new level of engagement and sense of presence to each Veteran’s health care experience.
Gulf Coast VA is currently one of five VA facilities nationwide to host a VXR. The primary focus of the event: Getting “heads in headsets.” VA recognizes the biggest champions of this technology are those who experience it firsthand. Over 200 people attended the event.
New technologies can impact physical, emotional and mental health
Veterans, caregivers and employees navigated through multiple hands-on experiences during the VXR. Gulf Coast VA highlighted the wide variety of immersive technology currently available across multiple services. Attendees learned and experienced how these new technologies can impact physical, emotional and mental health, as well as benefits for employee education.
Gulf Coast VA Safety Services provided educational opportunities through VR simulation to educate employees regarding a variety of safety trainings in both the clinical and non-clinical setting. Fifty-seven percent of attendees stated they had never experienced virtual reality prior to VXR. Additional feedback revealed that 88% of those who attended the event would like to start or continue using VR in their personal care.
“Amazing experience… wasn’t aware of the extent in which VR can be used to improve overall health,” said an Army Veteran.
“Great experience. Very cool to see this used in health care,” said a VA employee.
VA Immersive has currently deployed over 1450 VR headsets across more than 172 VA facilities and outpatient clinics in all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Guam and American Samoa. VA is leveraging immersive technology to offer a non-pharmaceutical approach to help Veterans address the day-to-day challenges of PTSD, anxiety, depression, acute and chronic pain, rehabilitation and more.
To learn more about VA Immersive, please visit: VA Immersive | Defining a New Reality in Health Care.
Topics in this story
More Stories
Veteran Byron Potier weighed almost 300 pounds and was tired and lethargic. He was the perfect candidate for gastric sleeve surgery.
How much do you know about VA care, benefits and services? Don’t miss out on what you've earned—check out the "2025 VA Federal Benefits Guide for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors, and Caregivers" handbook to learn more.
Feeling stressed? Your breath can help you relax and focus. Take 3 minutes to reset and prioritize your well being for this week's #LiveWholeHealth practice.
