Will the Metaverse be the next big step in the evolution of medicine?

The Metaverse has taken the world by storm, transforming the way we live, play, work, and seek and receive healthcare. The Metaverse is a multitude of digital universes that integrate many technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and blockchain to create immersive and It provides an interactive digital world. We were presented with the physical world.

Healthcare is one of the industries undergoing major transformation as the metaverse becomes more sophisticated and pervasive. Its limitless nature and flexibility allow patients access to care from anywhere in the world and help improve the training of medical staff through international collaboration and low-cost training simulations.

Current challenges include how the metaverse can be applied and integrated into the healthcare ecosystem. To explore this, it’s important to understand the benefits and opportunities that the metaverse currently offers.

Improving access to healthcare
Metaversum enables telemedicine, a healthcare service that has proven critical and continues to evolve in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, to connect healthcare providers and patients regardless of geographic location. to improve healthcare access and efficiency, and reduce healthcare and healthcare travel costs. staff and patients. In addition, the infinite structure of the Metaverse can remove obstacles to medical care caused by distance and time. Patients can virtually interact with staff at prospective hospitals, increasing patient choice and helping them make informed decisions.

Improved patient experience
The metaverse enables more flexible big data collection and analysis by enabling fast access and real-time collection of large amounts of information, often from multiple sources.
The patient’s health history, vital signs, medical records, and even the environmental conditions in which the patient lives. Clinical capabilities can also be enhanced and expanded within the Metaverse, primarily through virtual therapy, to support augmented reality such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality, and Mixed Reality (MR).

In a risk-free environment, providers can develop therapies for pain management, neuropathy, behavioral and physical health. For example, disabled patients can receive virtual therapy sessions and telerehabilitation without having to travel long distances. Patients suffering from mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder and phobias can receive immersive exposure therapy in a controlled environment where they can interact with various simulations to ensure their safety, and special Children with specific needs can learn real-world skills (e.g. crossing a pedestrian crossing). border). on the street) in a safe place. The Metaverse can also create a supportive environment for patients in general and build virtual communities where they can interact with other patients with similar diagnoses. Empower and Empower Your Employees
The Metaverse has the potential to open up innovative ways to train and empower healthcare workers in collaboration with other institutions, both nationally and internationally. For example, hospitals in the metaverse can set up low-cost education and training systems to facilitate staff growth and promotion. You can also create different simulations that allow medical teams to practice their skills on a digital twin (virtual replica) of a patient with a specific medical condition. A patient’s digital twin responds to interactions based on their medical profile, enabling staff to improve real-life performance and patient care. In addition, medical students can benefit from enhanced training programs, such as interactive learning experiences from hospitals in various countries and peer-to-peer interaction with international students, without incurring high financial and travel costs. increase. 

Improve employee morale and productivity
Blockchain infrastructure enables the exchange of virtual and real currencies. The decentralized nature of blockchain ensures that control and decision-making are distributed across the network rather than centralized entities, ensuring that everyone on the network has the same data and verified transactions. Its decentralized structure can be leveraged within hospital financial systems to create a more efficient and transparent way to manage staff compensation.

By adopting a blockchain-based reward system, hospitals can create a secure, tamper-proof ledger that records every transaction. This ledger is managed by your network, so no central oversight is required. It allows employees to be rewarded in real-time for meeting goals or completing tasks with precision and agility, without the need for lengthy, bureaucratic processes. This immediate recognition makes employees feel valued and increases their job satisfaction and motivation. At the same time, a more innovative and efficient compensation system will help hospitals differentiate themselves from their competitors and attract and retain top talent.

set a good example
Since its establishment in 1975, the King Faisal Specialty Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been dubbed the ‘automated hospital’ for its early developments in automation and computerization. Hospitals have gradually adopted electronic medical records (EMRs) and other technologies to improve patient care and streamline processes. Since then, the organization has continued to focus on measuring and maximizing the power of evolving digital tools to ensure their usefulness impacts all aspects of comprehensive and equitable care for patients. I’ve been

KFSH&RC leverages the benefits that the digital world brings to patient and staff communities, empowering virtually integrated chains of supply (e.g. .B. pharmacies) and improving patient flow. In addition, KFSH&RC launched a blockchain reward system THANAA (meaning “thank you” in Arabic). It is an initiative developed by the organization to encourage and promote a culture of employee empowerment and workplace well-being.

KFSH&RC has also extended academic training and education to the Metaverse as part of its residency program. Recently, KFSH&RC welcomed her Generation Z physicians residing in Saudi Arabia, the US, Canada and the UK. Through their digital twins, they were able to interact and share knowledge in real time. In the Metaverse, physicians share their research and experiential insights, resulting in a collaborative and enriching learning experience.

This initiative aims to help the next generation of physicians improve patient care by learning from best practices and observations around the world and providing unlimited virtual educational and academic experiences. “Having a place in the Metaverse where other medical professionals and like-minded colleagues come together makes me feel more involved and invested in my profession,” commented Dr. KFSH&RC Neurology Chief Hamad Aldrey said:

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By expanding its activities in the Metaverse, KFSH&RC has identified many opportunities to improve patient care, accessibility and staff development. Central to KFSH&RC’s plans to explore the metaverse is its ongoing commitment to enhancing patient and family-centered care. Her KFSH&RC’s unwavering focus in this area allows the hospital to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to providing innovative, high-quality care to patients and families.

Dr. Osama Alsuwirem is the Chief Information Officer of King Faisal Specialized Hospital and Research Center in Saudi Arabia.