Metaverse in healthcare: Just what the doctor ordered

The advancement and growth of the healthcare industry play a crucial role in the overall well-being of our community. With the rise of Blockchain technology and Metaverse, utility in healthcare solutions has peaked. This was when Metaverse transformed how people work and interact in the healthcare industry. Metaverse in healthcare solutions is just what the doctor ordered. As Metaverse offers a unique, immersive, and intimate medical experience, it can provide a sense of security and tranquility.

Due to this highly unique experience that Metaverse is rapidly adopted in the healthcare industry. If you’re from the healthcare industry looking to incorporate Metaverse into your services or a budding entrepreneur looking to kick-start your healthcare solutions venture, you’ve landed in the right place.

Metaverse 101:

Metaverse is a virtual space where anything is possible. It is an immersive, virtual realm built with AR, VR, and blockchain technology. 

What once seemed to be just a sci-fi term is now set to transform the future of the internet. The total market cap of Metaverse is estimated to be $40 billion and is expected to grow in the upcoming years. Facebook has spent more than $10 billion on metaverse projects in the past two years. 

Metaverse in Healthcare:

Metaverse is showing promising signs of being the mode of communication and interaction for all activities in the future. 

A 2022 KPMG report predicted that Metaverse in healthcare solutions would be a path-changing move that will bring medical professionals and patients closer to each other. Recently, Yashodha Hospitals group from Hyderabad acquired a portion of land on Decentraland, a prominent metaverse realm, to set up an experience zone to commemorate its 30 years of service in the healthcare industry. 

Apollo Hospitals, another giant in the healthcare industry, had recently ventured into the Metaverse world, collaborating with 8chilli inc. It plans to build a virtual platform that will engage users with a personalized approach and facilitate enhanced medical support.

Benefits of Metaverse in healthcare

  • Data decentralization: Blockchain ensures data decentralization for sensitive healthcare data. Patients’ medical health data will be secure and more accessible, offering complete ownership for users.
  • Real-world copy: Metaverse aspires to be the accurate world replica of healthcare services and has enjoyed immense success. Metaverses, with increased detailing, gamification, and access to complex data, present an authentic medical experience for the users.
  • Convergent technology: Metaverse uses cutting-edge technologies like AR, VR, AI, and blockchain technology to offer an accurate and an immersive experience for users. 
  • Zero-restrictions: Metaverse platforms are decentralized and one cannot shut down. User data inside Metaverse is highly secure and yet highly accessible at any time, anywhere, without restrictions. 
  • Immersive: With virtual reality in healthcare solutions, patients and medical professionals can interact with each other efficiently without any geographical barriers. This also offers a more immersive experience than conventional healthcare services.

Use cases of Metaverse in Healthcare

  • Medical training: With Traditional medical training practices, the number of cadavers on which procedures can be carried out is limited. With Metaverse, students can make use of the virtual environment to carry out procedures and train at a minimal cost. This Metaverse-based training can have a highly positive impact on medical students’ learning. 
  • Medical consultation: Remote consultations have become widely popular during the pandemic. Metaverse goes further with online consultation, providing users with an immersive experience. With many places around the globe which still need access to proper medical consultation services, Metaverse can bridge the gap between medical professionals and patients. 
  • Virtual hospitals: Users can access virtual hospitals through VR headsets to avail of virtual medical services. This can result in positive patient response and a convenient experience.  
  • Surgical preparations: Anyone can use AR/VR for pre-surgical practices and training for medical professionals. With data such as MRI and CT scans, users can efficiently prepare for medical services.
  • Healthcare gamification: With gamification in healthcare services, areas like telemedicine, medication adherence, disease prevention, and self-prevention can be highly advantageous.
  • Mental healthcare: Many people with depression and anxiety issues may feel reluctant to visit a psychologist for therapy. But, metaverse patients can also consult therapists and doctors for issues like depression, ADHD, phobias, etc., without hesitancy. 
  • Virtual insurance: As more and more virtual healthcare applications are being brought into the mainstream, virtual insurance that covers virtual losses and other blockchain-based issues will be “dyed in the wool” in metaverse healthcare services. 

How can Metaverse transform healthcare? 

BBC in early August reported that a team of international surgeons had trained in VR for several months before operating on three-year-old conjoined heads. With Metaverse in medical services already becoming a reality, a full-blown vision of Metaverse in the healthcare industry seems likely in the near future. 

Many new opportunities will encourage several ventures in the metaverse space, enabling tech companies to partner with healthcare companies.

Closing thoughts

As the Metaverse awaits so many opportunities, the healthcare industry will explore different business models in the near future. Given the growth potential and the lucrative market for Metaverse, working on a metaverse healthcare solution will be an intelligent choice. Get in touch with a professional metaverse development company if you’re keen on giving life to your idea.

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