For those recovering from an accident, surgery, or limiting medical condition, rehabilitation is a necessary part of the recovery process. Hospitals routinely struggle to keep their patients motivated and active in the traditional rehabilitation routine. Why? Because most routines are repetitive, cause pain, and are not very exciting.

Many rehabiliation programs are using modern technology to supplement the rehabilitation programs. Video games, especially the Nintendo Wii, and its WiiFit or Wiihab applications, give patients something to actually look forward to. Luckily, this is cheap to procur. Studies will show us weather or not this particular game or suite of games helps a patient rehabilitate.

Insurance providers will also need to determine how much of a patient rehab program can include something like Wiihab. I think it will show that some is okay because it engages motor and cognitive skills required for normal living.

In the driving simulation space, we find ourselves in a similar predictament. Insurance providers fell that driving is not an essential part of life, although we all know it is for most Americans. Driving heavily engages motor skill, vision and cognitive abilities. People want to return to driving after experiencing a temporary shut-down.

A driving simulator as part of a rehab program allows patient to practice driving in a safe environment. If the simulator is realistic, patients can practice getting in and out of the car, make the necessary pre-driving adjustments (seat, seat belt, parking brake, gear shifter, lights, heater/AC), and practice driving in a variety of situations.

A simulator can show how well a person can maintain lane position,maintain speed, maintain following distances, follow directions, measure reaction time, make turns, merge and judge gaps for safe entery into traffic, etc.

A therapist, the MD, the patient and the patient's family can see how adapted or ready a person is to return to driving after suffering a medical set back.

A driving simulator is a great piece of technology to add to a rehab facility. The key is to make people (MDs, therapists and population in general) aware of its existance and to use it as part of a planned rehab program. If used properly, it can fit into a insurance reimbursment program. It can also support a pay-as-you-go or out-of-pocket option for a formal driving assessment or evaluation program. It can be used as a revenue-generation opportunity for every medical facility.