The metaverse, a term coined by science fiction writer Neal Stephenson, refers to a collective virtual shared space created by the convergence of physical and virtual reality. While the idea of the metaverse may have initially been associated with gaming and entertainment, the underlying technologies have real-world uses in various fields, including healthcare. In fact, the metaverse is driving a transformation in healthcare at this very moment, offering new ways to provide medical care, conduct research, communicate, and train medical professionals. Even though the metaverse is still in its early stages of development, most areas of healthcare are already experiencing its impact.
In this article, we will explore how metaverse technology is transforming healthcare and the benefits it brings.
Which metaverse technology is driving healthcare transformation?
Before we go into detail about the ways in which metaverse technology can transform healthcare, i.e. the overall benefits it brings and the specific areas of healthcare that can be brought to a new level by this type of technology, let’s specify the types of technology that are considered “metaverse”.
Extended Reality (XR)
Extended reality, which includes augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality (AR, VR, and MR, respectively), is transforming healthcare by providing immersive and interactive experiences for patients, healthcare professionals, and medical students. For example, AR can be used to help surgeons visualize patient anatomy during surgery, VR can be used to help patients manage pain and anxiety during medical procedures, and MR can be used to create a hybrid environment where digital and physical objects can interact, allowing for new ways to study and interact with medical conditions.
Web3
Web3 technologies, such as blockchain and virtual assets, can improve the security and privacy of medical data, facilitate medical research and drug discovery, and provide patients with more control over their health data. For example, blockchain can be used to securely store and share medical records, while virtual assets can be used to incentivize healthy behaviors.
M-worlds
M-worlds, the live virtual “places” where users gather and create content, can provide healthcare professionals with opportunities for remote collaboration, training, and education. For example, medical students can use M-worlds to practice surgical procedures in a simulated environment, while healthcare professionals can use M-worlds to collaborate on patient care. M-worlds can also be used to create immersive and interactive virtual experiences for patients, allowing them to engage and participate in their healthcare in new and innovative ways.
What are the benefits of using metaverse technology in healthcare?
This is how metaverse technology can benefit the healthcare industry and the people who depend on it:
Increased access
Metaverse technology can help increase access to medical care, especially for those who live in remote or underserved areas. For example, telemedicine platforms that utilize XR technology can provide virtual consultations and remote monitoring, making it easier for patients to receive medical care without having to travel to a physical clinic or hospital. At the same time, M-worlds can provide virtual spaces for support groups and other patient communities, allowing patients to connect with others who are going through similar experiences.
Better outcomes
Metaverse technology can improve medical outcomes by providing medical professionals with new tools and resources to increase the rate of correct diagnosis and treatment. VR therapy can be used to treat patients with mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, by providing immersive and personalized treatment experiences. Besides, metaverse technology improves medical training, which subsequently improves diagnosis and treatment. XR technology allows health professionals to practice complex procedures and techniques in a safe and controlled environment.
Lower costs
Metaverse technology can reduce healthcare costs by providing more efficient and cost-effective ways to deliver healthcare services, such as remote consultations and virtual visits. This reduces the need for in-person appointments, as well as additional renting of facilities, and reduces the associated costs.
Personalized care
Metaverse technology continues the personalization trend that has arrived in the healthcare universe a bit later than it had arrived in all other niches of our lives. Metaverse technology offers what other solutions have been missing: personalized care experiences for patients. For example, virtual reality therapy can be tailored to the specific needs and preferences of individual patients, focusing on specific events, traumas, and preferences.
Improved patient engagement
Often, our health suffers because we simply don’t pay enough attention to it. This is another problem that metaverse technology is tackling right now. Metaverse technology can help improve patient engagement by providing (relatively) fun and (fully) interactive experiences that encourage patients to participate in their healthcare. For example, M-worlds can be used to create virtual spaces, allowing patients to learn about their medical conditions and treatments and encourage them to do more, like use medicine in time, exercise more, eat healthier, and so on.
Which areas of medicine are being transformed?
The list of areas in medicine that are being transformed by metaverse technologies is about to get much more extensive. However, this is where the transformation starts:
Medical and surgical imaging
Metaverse technology can improve medical and surgical imaging by creating create 3D visualizations of medical images, allowing medical professionals to better understand complex medical conditions and plan surgical procedures. Metaverse technology can provide real-time imaging capabilities, allowing medical professionals to monitor medical conditions and surgical procedures in real time. For example, augmented reality can be used to overlay real-time imaging data onto a patient’s body during surgery, allowing the surgeon to see exactly where they are operating.
EchoPixel is one of the startups that transform surgical images. The platform enables physicians to use a digital twin of a patient using standard medical images and experience it as a 4D interactive hologram.
Mental health
Metaverse technology can improve mental health outcomes by providing personalized and immersive therapy experiences for patients. At Elinext, we’ve talked about the role of VR for mental health treatment before. Here are a number of startups and VR software development companies that already focus on delivering various solutions for mental health patients.
A US-based startup that provides VR therapy solutions for various mental health conditions, including phobias, PTSD, and addiction. The platform offers personalized VR therapy experiences that can be accessed remotely, making it an ideal solution for patients who are unable to attend in-person therapy sessions.
A UK-based startup that offers VR experiences that simulate real-world situations and challenges, allowing patients to practice and develop coping strategies in a safe and controlled environment and deal with various psychological conditions.
Another US-based startup that provides VR therapy for anxiety, pain management, and serious psychological illnesses. BehaVR also focuses on maternal health and promises to transform the perinatal experience and create better outcomes for moms and babies.
Medical training
Metaverse technology can enhance medical training by providing detailed simulated interactive experiences for medical students and professionals. VR and AR are being used to create virtual patient simulations that allow students to practice and develop clinical skills in a safe environment. These simulations can be tailored to the specific needs of individual students and can provide feedback in real time. They are also used to provide remote training and education for medical students, allowing them to access training materials and resources from anywhere in the world.
Here are some examples of startups offering medical training powered by metaverse technology:
A US-based startup that provides VR surgical training solutions for medical students and healthcare professionals. The platform offers realistic simulations of surgical procedures, allowing students to practice and develop their skills in a safe and controlled environment. It also allows collaboration from anywhere in the world by utilizing Meta VR technology.
Fundamental Surgery provides a scalable, portable, and collaborative solution to help deliver training programs for your business. It combines the easiness of VR devices with the precision of HapticVR™ without compromising on the quality of training.
Precision OS is a Canadian-based medical-grade VR learning platform that improves surgical readiness. It recreates OR experiences down to the smallest detail, providing health professionals and medical students with a deeper level of contextual and active learning.
Conclusion
The metaverse is transforming healthcare by providing innovative and immersive technologies that can improve healthcare access, take diagnostic and treatment results to a new level, and reduce healthcare costs. Various startups are driving this transformation, and we can expect to see more of them, as well as more tech giants and established healthcare organizations leveraging metaverse technology to improve healthcare in the future.
