Virtual reality in telemedicine [Reti e realta virtuale in medicina]

The Virtual Reality's (VR) Systems in Medicine are still today mainly projects or prototypes. Can be classified as diagnostic, diagnostic-therapeutic, psychotherapeutic, rehabilitative, tutorial, for purpose of research, to building of hospitals and places for persons with disabilities systems. The VR Systems in medical fields can be designed and implemented only for telematic use (telepresence, telerobotic surgery, military and disaster's telemedicine, mainly Computed Augmented Systems: for direct use or simulated mode). Others VR systems can be connected in network, if equipment is available, i.e. data glove, headmounted display, 3D-endoscopy etc.); firmware systems (stereotaxic neurosurgery, rehabilitative systems) cannot be shared. Psychiatry is considered one of the most promising sector of VR in Medicine, for the ability to perform diagnostic and therapeutic, individual and specific, artificial worlds. Some Universities are up-grading the curricula, adapting them to new technological developments. The making of Developer's Groups is expected for cost reduction and now is made easy by new availability of programming languages (VRML, VRML+, Hot Java), open tools for network use (WWW-Internet, Information Superhighways).