Mohd Faizan Mujawar
Class: Final year B.Pharmacy
Firstly, there seems to be a cloud of confusion around the idea of the metaverse. What is it exactly? And how does it affect our life?
In simple words, Metaverse is a new reality. It is a 3D virtual world that completely exists on the internet. It has no real touch and feel but feigns life-like experiences to the user.
Originally metaverse was only thought to have applications in entertainment. The gaming and film industry is already using metaverse to enhance user experience. But the day is not far when the medical field walks hand in hand with the metaverse to provide health care services like never before.
Let’s walk through some of the most promising medical fields where the metaverse has applications:
1.TELEMEDICINE :
Earlier, say before the covid pandemic, remote healthcare services were nothing more than a myth. However, it is now a common practice. Several apps, software, and websites directly connect you to your preferred physician from the comfort of your home.
This might have seemed impossible in the past but today, Telemedicine is a reality. Doctors attest that minor conditions are treated quickly and efficiently with the aid of metaverse. Unlike the times before, physical location is no longer a limitation.
2.TWINNING IN SURGERIES :
Surgeries are one of the most complex and irreplaceable procedures. These are expensive, critical, and dangerous, but at the same time necessary.
A great deal of expertise and practice is required to perform these procedures in intricate organs like the brain and heart. This becomes difficult since producing the exact physiological conditions outside a living body is impossible. Luckily, metaverse has the solution.
Several companies are working on creating digital twins where surgeons can experience real human-like conditions without putting an actual life in danger. This perfect blend of VR (virtual reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) serves as a risk-less model of the human body where surgeons can practice before performing the actual procedure.
3. META HOSPITALS :
Ever imagined a hospital that has no physical location? If not, it’s time to look beyond our imagination.
Virtual hospitals are becoming the real thing of the future. Although these hospitals aren’t full-fledged online, they are slowly building their base in physiotherapy and counseling.
Counseling would be fairly simpler, comprising a video call where you converse with the counselor. While physiotherapy would include slightly more advanced technology to visualize joints, plaster, or injured parts.
4.FINAL THOUGHTS :
In a nutshell, what started as means to play video games has embarked on the journey of being something bigger. Metaverse holds the power to revolutionize the way we envision the future. Not only would we see metaverse transforming the medicine, but it would also change the way we live as humans and perceive reality.
It would be wise to hope for the metaverse to stand up to our expectations in medicine and well-being overall.