Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
4.4
User Attitudes Towards VR and Desktop
Different people prefer different interaction styles. The Virtual Operating The-
atre cannot always satisfy all potential users of the VRE, as well as a Personal
Desktop Assistant. The choice of an interaction style is very closely related to
users' tasks and preferences. We base this assumption on the results of user
profiling. Both interviews and observations indicate that many surgeons and
interventional radiologists would prefer to use desktop applications for accom-
plishing every-day tasks. As for the large immersive virtual environments, they
would be more preferable for collaborative work and training.
Even though 3D visualization is now available in most hospitals, it has been
found that existing systems are not always in use. Currently, no intervention
is carried out based on the evaluation of 3D visualizations only. This is due,
first of all, to the bad resolution of 3D stereoscopic images in comparison to 2D
high-resolution scans.
The advantage of the VR projection modality is that it provides possibili-
ties for collaborative work, which is crucial if we talk about clinicians. During
observation sessions it has been found that medical people spend a significant
part of their time in collaboration: for making a diagnosis and planning a treat-
ment. However, the number of people involved in a work discussion usually does
not exceed five. The exception is a weekly medical conference, in which all staff
members of the medical department are present.
Table 2.
An overview of the VRE functionalities.
VR
Desktop
Stereoscopic visualization and 'sense of
immersion' add significantly to the task
understanding or performance.
Stereoscopic visualization and immer-
sion do not add to the task understand-
ing or performance.
The 3D stereoscopic representation is vi-
tal.
Image resolution is crucial.
Insight view into a complex structure is
more important than performance.
Performance is vital. No extra time
can be spent for running the special-
ized equipment or conducting compli-
cated manipulations.
Perception and field regard are impor-
tant.
Perception and field regard do not add
to the understanding of a task.
Collaborative work of a relatively big
group of people (3 or more) is necessary
to support.
Quick, informal collaboration needs to
be provided for a relatively small group
of people (2 maximum).
End-users are interested in new technolo-
gies and willing to spend time for train-
ing.
End-users are less inclined to learn using
new equipment and technology.
There is enough space to place equip-
ment.
Space limits.
Enough budget is available.
The available budget is limited.
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