Application of Extended Reality in Advanced Nursing Practice
My intended specialty area of advanced nursing practice is as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). In this role, extended reality (XR) technologies, particularly virtual reality (VR), hold immense potential to transform therapeutic interventions for a wide range of mental health conditions. One powerful application would be the use of VR for exposure therapy. This evidence-based technique is used to treat anxiety disorders, specific phobias (e.g., fear of flying, heights), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A PMHNP could use a VR system to create a safe, controlled, and customizable environment where a patient can gradually confront their fears or process traumatic memories. For example, for a patient with a severe fear of heights (acrophobia), the PMHNP could guide them through a virtual scenario, starting with something simple like standing on a low balcony and slowly progressing to walking across a high, unstable bridge. The PMHNP maintains complete control over the virtual environment, including the ability to adjust the intensity of the experience, pause the session, or immediately transport the patient to a “safe space” if they become overwhelmed. This application allows for the replication of real-world scenarios that would be impractical, costly, or unsafe to create in a traditional clinical setting, providing a powerful new tool for guided, patient-centered therapy.
Recommended Product
The best-suited product for this application is a standalone virtual reality headset, such as the Meta Quest 3. This device is well-suited for a clinical setting for several key reasons. As a self-contained unit, it does not require a connection to a powerful and expensive computer, making it highly portable and easy to use in different rooms or even for telehealth sessions. Its high-resolution display, advanced hand-tracking, and robust processing power create a convincing and immersive environment for therapeutic use. The Meta Quest 3 is also relatively affordable compared to professional-grade enterprise VR systems, making it a viable option for a clinic or private practice. Crucially, its open ecosystem allows for the installation of specialized, HIPAA-compliant therapeutic software developed by third-party companies, which provides the necessary clinical content and safeguards for a PMHNP to conduct effective VR-based therapy.
Potential Barriers to Implementation
Despite the promising applications, several significant barriers could hinder the implementation of this technology in an advanced nursing practice setting:
- Cost and Reimbursement: While consumer-grade headsets are becoming more affordable, the initial investment for multiple devices and the required therapeutic software licenses can still be a significant financial burden for a small clinic. A larger barrier is the lack of standardized reimbursement from insurance providers for VR-based therapy. Without specific CPT codes and clear billing pathways, clinics may struggle to get paid for these services, making the technology financially unsustainable.
