With new technology emerging every day, our world is changing at an incredibly rapid pace. Healthcare is just one industry that has seen a significant transformation from technology. The healthcare industry is still getting used to the drastic changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced it to adopt more digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual care in an effort to survive. With the emergence of the metaverse, the relationship between technology and healthcare is poised to change significantly. Based on a report published by The Brainy Insights, the global metaverse market for healthcare is expected to grow at a CAGR of 35.60% from 2022 to 2030, reaching an anticipated value of USD 48.67 billion.Â
The Metaverse and Telemedicine: Reshaping the Healthcare Industry
Many countries face issues in healthcare facilities, emphasizing the necessity for improved training in medicine. Metaverse technologies such as AR and VR have developed as solutions, providing platforms for medical students to learn difficult surgical techniques with greater precision. This development has the potential to improve surgical outcomes and patient care.
Another driving force behind the market’s growth, according to the research, is technology’s ability to support medical professionals in precise diagnoses and successful long-term care planning. Through the metaverse, healthcare workers can communicate in real-time, exchange expertise, and make data-driven choices in the metaverse, improving patient care quality.Â
For example, in Saudi Arabia, there is the Seha Virtual Hospital, a hospital that delivers telehealth services by enabling the top health advisors and practitioners in micro and rare specialties. As part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 Health efforts, the SEHA Virtual Hospital uses telemedicine. It enables people to access medical assistance without leaving their homes, minimizing their risk of contracting infectious infections. It offers interdisciplinary telecommittees, remote critical care, and tele-specialized consultations. Ultimately, the SEHA Virtual Hospital provides a number of advantages to medical professionals, patients, and the whole health system.
However, it’s important to note that despite the enormous potential, there are still obstacles to overcome, such as the high expense of metaverse technology and concerns about the security and privacy of user data. Yet, these problems can be lessened by technical advancements and stricter data privacy regulations, which will encourage a wider acceptance of metaverse solutions in the medical field.Â
The COVID-19 pandemic spurred telemedicine use, opening up new applications for the metaverse in healthcare. Metaverse technologies improve telemedicine by allowing virtual 3D consultations, which lowers the risk of illnesses acquired in person. The market’s bright future is further enhanced by blockchain technology’s ability to address security and privacy concerns pertaining to data.
Takeaways
Metaverse technologies are becoming more and more important in improving the state of the healthcare industry. The metaverse seems well-positioned to significantly improve healthcare results, from strengthening patient care and overcoming obstacles to boosting medical training.
