PreviewLabs

In this panel discussion, two physicians who also happen to be skilled coders shared how extended reality (XR) can transform healthcare. Moderated by PreviewLabs-founder Bernard François, the talk explored how medical expertise and programming knowledge converge to build innovative XR solutions that address real clinical needs.

The session was organized by the MedVR. Bernard guided the conversation between Dr. Steve Patterson, Executive Director of MedVR,  Dr. Joe Morgan, anesthesiologist and founder of Waya Health, and Dr. Omar Ali, colorectal surgeon and independent developer of high-fidelity surgical simulators. Together, they examined the value of prototyping in healthcare, how doctors balance coding with medical practice, and the challenges of bringing these solutions to market.

Bernard opened with examples of PreviewLabs’ prototyping work and the importance of iteration in early concept exploration. After this the discussion led into a few key takeaways:

• Prototyping accelerates innovation: Starting small and testing ideas early helps clinicians and developers validate concepts before scaling.
• XR is a powerful medium in healthcare: It can serve as a diagnostic tool, a training platform, and even a therapeutic intervention.
• Doctors who code bring unique value: Their dual expertise allows them to design solutions that are both technically robust and clinically relevant.
• Balancing coding and medicine is possible: By treating coding as a flexible pursuit, physicians can integrate it into their careers without losing touch with clinical practice.
• Scaling from prototype to product is a challenge: Moving from proof of concept to widespread clinical adoption requires significant resources, regulatory navigation, and the right talent.

The panel offers valuable insights for researchers, healthcare professionals, and developers curious about how XR can reshape medicine. You can watch the full discussion online. Sign up via this form to get a link to the video. If you’re considering a prototype for your own research or healthcare project, or if you would like to leverage our iterative development process, reach out to PreviewLabs to see how we can help bring your ideas to life.