What Makes Virtual Reality in Healthcare Cost Effective?

Can VR actually save healthcare institutions money while improving patient care?

Are you surprised that the answer is an astounding… YES?

Virtual reality (VR) is no longer just a futuristic concept—it’s transforming training in the healthcare industry today. Hospitals, medical schools, and healthcare providers are increasingly adopting VR solutions, not just for their innovative appeal but for their measurable impact on patient outcomes and cost efficiency.

But what about the upfront investment? It’s a valid concern. While implementing VR technology requires an initial financial commitment, the long-term savings far outweigh the costs. Reduced medical errors, more efficient training programs, and decreased reliance on expensive resources all contribute to a significant return on investment.

Let’s explore how VR is reshaping healthcare by making it more cost-effective without compromising the quality of care.

Does VR Training Cost Less Than Traditional Methods?

When looking at multiple years of use, VR costs less than traditional methods. In a study, the cost after three years of VR training in a hospital was found to be $115.43 per participant, while the cost of live exercises remained fixed at $327.78. 

The economics of healthcare training often weigh heavily on the minds of administrators and decision-makers. While there may be a higher initial upfront cost associated with VR healthcare training, such as a subscription fee, a closer look at the long-term perspective reveals a compelling case for its cost-effectiveness. 

The reason behind this financial advantage lies in the scalability of VR. The initial investment in virtual reality can be spread across many trainees and a more extended time period with little additional cost. 

In contrast, each live training drill incurs additional expenses that scale with the number of participants, making VR technology a cost-efficient choice, especially when training a large workforce.

UbiSim is even more economical than the study found because it’s already developed and ready to be used. UbiSim has a catalog of nurse-authored and peer-reviewed scenarios, a whole section of scenarios by other institutions, and all of them are customizable.

How VR Makes Cost Savings Possible

So, how exactly does virtual reality translate into real-world savings for healthcare institutions?

The key lies in VR’s unique ability to combine immersive, hands-on training with scalable, repeatable access—without the recurring costs of traditional methods. Unlike in-person simulations that require physical space, high-cost equipment, or standardized patients, VR brings a fully interactive learning environment straight to a headset.

Here’s how it works:

• Scalability Without Added Costs: Once a VR simulation is developed, it can be reused indefinitely with no additional expense per trainee. Whether you're training 10 nurses or 1,000, the cost remains relatively stable—unlike live simulations, which scale up in cost with each additional participant.
• Eliminating Resource Bottlenecks: VR reduces the need for materials like mannequins, medical tools, and space rentals. It also frees up instructors' time, allowing for asynchronous and self-guided learning while still providing real-time feedback within the virtual scenario.
• Reducing Risk While Enhancing Confidence: Learners can make mistakes in a safe, virtual environment—without risking patient safety. This reduces the likelihood of costly medical errors later on, which are a major expense for healthcare institutions both financially and reputationally.
• Shortening Time-to-Competency: Because VR accelerates skill acquisition and boosts retention, it reduces the time and cost involved in onboarding and training new healthcare professionals. That means fewer hours away from clinical duties and more time delivering care

Ultimately, VR is more than just an engaging educational tool—it’s a strategic investment in smarter, safer, and more efficient healthcare delivery. Solutions like UbiSim go even further by offering turnkey, evidence-based scenarios that are customizable and ready to deploy—saving institutions both time and money from day one.

UbiSim: Leading the Way in VR Training for Nurses

UbiSim is a leading VR simulation training tool built just for nurses! With immersive learning scenarios created and peer-reviewed by nurse educators, nurse learners can step into a virtual world that enables them to sharpen their skills, practice with room for error, and develop professionally.

Example of VR Implementation in Healthcare

Boston Children’s Hospital was facing the challenge of getting nurses prepared to assess and support patients with sepsis. Jeff Jacobson, who manages the XR simulation lab, brought UbiSim to BCH a couple of years ago to assist nurse trainees in their orientation to the MSICU department for these scenarios. 

Jeff Jacobson finds that VR is cost-effective. Here’s what he had to say: “VR is an efficient way for people to get more training time because manikin SIMs are expensive.”

Do you have nurses at your healthcare institution who could use immersive VR training? Schedule a demo of UbiSim today.