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Since its inception, Metaverse has been such a buzzword. From gaming to films, everyone is stepping forward in the Meta race. So, why should the most important – field of medicine be left behind?

Medicine and Healthcare have often been an unexplored lot. It was only in the covid era that we realized the field’s immense potential and possible areas of exploration.

Some groundbreaking implementations of AI and tech in medicine were Telemedicine and AI-based modeling for the development of covid vaccines. [1]

And all these inventions did one thing for sure. It propelled a never-ending race of inventions with ever-evolving mediums.

And what is the medium now?

After tech and AI, what else can be on the list?

None other than Metaverse?

I know you must be wondering how something as complicated and techy as Metaverse will have a smooth deployment in the medical field. Aren’t you?

Well, something seemingly complicated as Metaverse is all set to make the healthcare industry smooth and hassle-free.

How?

It will be done through a solid convergence of three technological trends – Augmented Reality, Virtual reality, and AI coupled with Intelligent cloud and quantum computing.

Let us see what some key components are:

In Healthcare, The most important is the enhanced data handling across multiple operations.

Now this critical and complicated through Metaverse by enhancing,

a. Interoperability.

Asset classes like Avatar, 3D models, and spatial environments in the area can work together – Making seamless porting of sensitive data across different platforms a possible task. [2]

Now that we are done with the data handling, the next most important task is bringing health providers and consumers together.

But wait! Wasn’t that what Telemedicine was doing?

Yeah, kind of. But was the experience immersive?

Well! Here through Metaverse, it is.

We are establishing a connection through Gamification, after all!

b. Gamification!!!

Yeah, I know, something that was considered limited only to friends, fun, and fitness apps. Now it has the potential to revolutionize the relationship between healthcare providers and consumers.

So, when it comes to Healthcare, augmented with virtual reality, it can span across virtual instruction and smarter workouts. That too, through body movement-sensitive VR guards! [3]

That’s indeed revolutionary!

So, what are going to be some breakthroughs?

Here are some breakthroughs. Starting with the one that got the most light during covid 19.

But, that was the basic version of Telemedicine. Here through Metaverse, we have got some immersive experience. So let us talk about,

A. Advanced Telemedicine

So as we move forward in a more digitized world, how can we not expect Healthcare to pace up with the demands?

And mind you, digitization is not only a marketing tool for Healthcare but a much-needed invention to bring about uniform accessibility in the medical pool of knowledge.

So an immersive digital landscape allows health professionals to collaborate and share expertise with practitioners or patients.

All through ease of your fingertips!

Yes, around 75% of health companies in countries like the U.S have already planned to shift to digitized modes of Healthcare. This has created a massive exploration in the field. [4]

Access to patient reports with one click through IoT and body detection through VR is just the beginning. There is a lot more to explore in advanced Telemedicine.

Now that we are talking about patient ease and accessibility let us also not miss upon a major revolution in the field,

B. Robotic Prototype

The first time a Telerobotic prototype was experienced – was in a Fake Space. The experimentation included a mobile robot with a camera system that sent back stereoscopic images in real-time.

And from then, the healthcare industry was fast enough to deploy this technique in Healthcare and use it for screening purposes.

I know it may sound like a Sci-Fi movie. But, hold your horses!

A company called Endiatax created a tiny robotic drone that could be swallowed by human patients and piloted inside the stomach and other parts of the digestive tract.

What does that do?

Well! Something that even X-rays and scans cannot do!

This tiny robot sends real-time video of what goes on inside your body back to a doctor’s computer or phone through Metaverse. [5]

Before you doubt it works, yes, it does!

They have run the tests on live humans.

And now that we are talking about precision in screening and treatment, how can the most important invention be left out!

C. Digital Twins

So, what is this cool-sounding word?

It is a virtual world or simulation that uses real-world data to generate more information about its real-world counterpart. [6]

But, how does that help Healthcare?

It does help through the very same principle it is based upon. Here, the simulation will be based on the human body – through a proper analysis of how the body behaves concerning different activities and medications.

Seems revolutionary?

Yes, it has the solution to all your health problems. And saves a lot of your time you spend on the internet searching about the possible side effects of exercises and medications.

Everyone’s body is different, after all! How can just a set of data collated through AI govern what you consume or do?

Digital twin, therefore, is a breakthrough in the area of personalized diet and medicine. Allowing you to choose what you consume based on what your body can intake. [7]

So, what are some major applications?

You would be happy to know that Digital Twin can be applied in the fields in demand these days – Gene Editing & Gene therapy.

How?

Simple. Since the time we have heard of Gene Editing as a concept, it has been controversial. Most of our fear stems from the fact that the editing has some errors. And those errors, after a few years, get largely amplified in the human body.

But Digital Twin is here as an answer to all your doubts and fears. So, what if someone travels inside your body and informs you beforehand about how a gene editing process can affect your body?

Wouldn’t you be more cautious with the process! And the best part is that it will allow doctors to tailor the treatment as per your body type.

Such a huge advancement in the field of personalized medicine!

I know, but with personalized treatments comes a lot of data.

We are handling big data in all the breakthroughs we have discussed here. So shouldn’t we need a system of Metaverse that also fix this issue?

Well! At your disposal,

here is,

D. Blockchain

With so much of our data accessible to healthcare professionals and fraternities, we need to take charge of it.

Blockchain has always been a one-stop solution to all our privacy issues. Be it in Finance, trading, banks, investment, etc.

So, how can it not aid the healthcare field through its advances!

The patient’s data can be decentralized through advanced Blockchain technology, making it available only to doctors when needed. This can go a long way in warding off intrusions into personal data and help companies adhere to regulations. [8]

A sneak peek into the future.

As Healthcare evolves and steps into Metaverse to up the game, the key lies in effective collaboration between healthcare professionals and patients.

Making it patient-centric will require a lot of effort but pays off in the long run, as that’s what Metaverse in Medicine is all about!

To make medicine an affordable experience. To ensure that advancements like Metaverse do not benefit only a sliver of society but go on a long way in democratizing the much-needed accessibility.