Virtual reality has had its big breakthrough in the gaming world, but what applications for this technology are there in helping the wellbeing of people who are ill? Almira Osmanovic Thunström is a Business Developer and Doctoral Researcher at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. She has spent years conducting research within the fields of AI and VR for healthcare and psychiatry in particular. She’s been figuring out what works, what the dangers are and how truly powerful these headsets can be when it comes to penetrating our perceptions of reality.

We talk to Almira about her research and her curiosity, how she’s always wanted to take things apart to understand their inner workings. One challenge in particular catches our attention: with all the rigor around the approval of medical equipment, how does Almira get around the bureaucracy and limits of even being able to purchase these devices for her research, and what further privacy conundrums are unveiled when VR headsets require Facebook accounts?

Take note that we touch upon the sensitive subjects of suicide as well as palliative care.

(Listening time: 36 minutes, transcript)

Episode 275: VR in healthcare with Almira Osmanovic Thunström – we talk to Almira about her research, curiosity and challenges of being a pioneer and innovator in the field https://t.co/6P1IVsnVzA#uxpodcast #ux #podcast pic.twitter.com/kMOyR1mjdC

• Full transcript for episode 275
  
• Extended reality
  
• Almira’s LinkedIn post about being overqualified for jobs
  
• Virtual reality (VR)
  
• Oculus VR headset
  
• Almira’s talk featuring Palliative care VR as Death
  
• Metaverse
  
• Oculus quest and Facebook privacy article
  
• Episode 186: Augmented reality with Boon Sheridan
  
• If you are in need of someone to talk to:
  
  • In the UK and Irish Republic contact Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
    
  • In the US the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255
    
  • In Australia the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14
    
  • Här kan du få hjälp list of support resources in Sweden
    
  
  
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