Virtual Reality in GI with Brennan Spiegel, MD

In this podcast episode, Brennan Spiegel, MD, MSHS, discusses virtual and augmented reality in gastroenterology from both a clinical and research perspective, as well as his thoughts on the future of the field. Intro :02 The interview :22 How did you decide to be a doctor? :23 What are your main takeaways from serving as editor of AJG over the last 6 years? 2:46 What was your journey that led to what you're focusing on now? 5:47 Can you give us a sense of what these words mean when you say "virtual reality" and "augmented reality"? 7:29 As a professor of medicine, a gastroenterologist, a public health advocate and researcher, how did you come to think of this being your area of focus? 10:40 How does this work from a clinical perspective? 15:21 Can you tell us about how the clinical trials are run, what sham VR is and how are these high-quality trials designed? 19:53 Have we studied the biochemical response? 22:13 The discussion of virtual reality and its use in neuromodulation and nerve stimulation 25:07 Where do you think the biggest challenge is in this widespread implementation? 31:34 What about developing VR reimbursement strategies … Have you heard of virtual reality companies approaching things this way? 34:44 How do you think about intellectual property with VR? 37:38 Where do you think we stand in regard to regulatory hurdles? 39:52 Are there any risks? Are these things that are being studied? Are these valid concerns? 42:00 What do you want the listeners to take away from this? What's the call to action? 44:31 Thank you, Dr. Spiegel 46:27 Brennan Spiegel, MD, MSHS, is the director of health services research for Cedars-Sinai and the director of the Cedars-Sinai Master's Degree Program in health delivery science. He directs the Cedars-Sinai Center for Outcomes Research and Education. We'd love to hear from you! Send your comments/questions to [email protected]. Follow us on Twitter @HealioGastro @sameerkberry @umfoodoc Disclosures: Berry, Chey and Spiegel report no relevant financial disclosures.