How Could the Metaverse Transform Healthcare?

The Metaverse is a virtual environment developed by Meta, formerly known as Facebook. Its potential in various fields, including healthcare, is highly anticipated. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the need for improved communication between patients, physicians, and collaborators, and virtual environments like the Metaverse can fill that gap.

Enhanced Data Sharing: Ownership and Access with Blockchain Technology

One of the most significant advantages of the Metaverse is secure data sharing. Blockchain technology can be used to ensure data ownership and make it easy for patients to approve or for doctors to forward patient information. Virtual hospitals, another potential application of the Metaverse, can significantly improve accurate triage. Specialized triage centers staffed by healthcare professionals could advise patients to seek treatment at home, visit an outpatient clinic, or go to the hospital. In the future, virtual hospitals could use enhanced virtual environments to allow physicians to examine patients photorealistically, improving communication between remote patients and healthcare professionals.

Visualization and Training: Three-Dimensional Data Presentation for Physicians

The Metaverse can also revolutionize data visualization and training. In the future, physicians may be able to use three-dimensional virtual environments to visualize patient data, making it easier to diagnose and observe patients’ response to treatment. Such technologies would also be invaluable in education and training, allowing trainee healthcare professionals to experience first-hand surgeries, autopsies, and other medical procedures in a completely safe environment.

Patient Therapy: The Potential of Virtual Environments

Virtual environments like the Metaverse can also play a significant role in patient therapy. For example, virtual environments could be used to treat phobias by gently exposing patients to their fears in a safe environment. The Metaverse’s collaborative power would also allow therapist-led support groups to easily find one another and meet from around the world in a more engaging setting than a text-based support group. The potential applications for realistic virtual simulations are numerous and can have a significant impact on various medical conditions.
As of 2021, the virtual reality healthcare industry was reportedly valued at around $1.2 billion and is estimated to reach almost $12 billion by 2028. Meta has invested billions of dollars in making the Metaverse a reality. However, the healthcare industry may not see its full benefit for some time due to the need for virtual reality headsets and other haptic technology. The average patient is unlikely to possess the required equipment, particularly older generations.
In conclusion, the Metaverse has the potential to revolutionize healthcare. Enhanced communication, secure data sharing, accurate triage, improved data visualization, and patient therapy are just a few of the many potential applications. While the adoption of the Metaverse in healthcare may be slow, the potential benefits are enormous, and it is an exciting field to watch as technology continues to improve.