There's a lot of buzz about the metaverse and its potential to change how we live our daily lives. Currently, the Web3 metaverse is projected to be worth $47.5 billion by the end of 2022 and a staggering $678.8 billion by 2030.
Clearly, the metaverse will only become more integrated into everyday life. It still has a long way to go, but I think that tech like augmented reality, AI, quantum computing and all the rest of the components of the metaverse will pave the way for a better, faster, more comprehensive healthcare landscape.
According to research by Accenture, authenticity within the metaverse is something that will become more important as the technology develops. Additionally, companies that take their brands into the metaverse early will have a definitive “pioneering advantage.” This combination of factors means that the faster healthcare companies can establish a trusted presence in the metaverse, the better.
Clearly, the metaverse will only become more integrated into everyday life. It still has a long way to go, but I think that tech like augmented reality, AI, quantum computing and all the rest of the components of the metaverse will pave the way for a better, faster, more comprehensive healthcare landscape.
According to research by Accenture, authenticity within the metaverse is something that will become more important as the technology develops. Additionally, companies that take their brands into the metaverse early will have a definitive “pioneering advantage.” This combination of factors means that the faster healthcare companies can establish a trusted presence in the metaverse, the better.
A Quick Aside: Defining the Metaverse
Before we go further, let's back up and talk about what I mean when we say "metaverse."
The consensus is that the metaverse is where the physical world converges with the virtual, so this is the definition I’m using. This includes everything that allows real-world users to immerse in and interact with the virtual world, like:
The consensus is that the metaverse is where the physical world converges with the virtual, so this is the definition I’m using. This includes everything that allows real-world users to immerse in and interact with the virtual world, like:
- Augmented reality
- Virtual reality
- Artificial intelligence
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Web3
- Robotics
- Edge computing
- Quantum computing.
- Virtual reality
- Artificial intelligence
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Web3
- Robotics
- Edge computing
- Quantum computing.
How the Metaverse Can Transform Healthcare
In the U.S., healthcare is a huge, sluggish beast in desperate need of an overhaul. Globally, while some countries have a more sophisticated healthcare system, there is an overall lack of efficiency. Because of the safety and security regulations of the global healthcare industry, this is often one of the last sectors to experience real growth and change.
Statistics show that 75 percent of business executives are ready to either invest or partner with next-generation computing companies to address sweeping, previously unsolvable problems (like creating secure, efficient healthcare data sharing).
This is where I believe the metaverse fits into the future of healthcare. Here are a few ways it's already transforming the industry.
Statistics show that 75 percent of business executives are ready to either invest or partner with next-generation computing companies to address sweeping, previously unsolvable problems (like creating secure, efficient healthcare data sharing).
This is where I believe the metaverse fits into the future of healthcare. Here are a few ways it's already transforming the industry.
1. VR and AR
VR and AR have already become essential tools for improving medical outcomes. Not only can medical students use AR to safely practice complex procedures, but surgeons can utilize advanced robotics to assist with delicate surgeries that require immense precision.
2. Web3 Digital Infrastructure
DeHealth has developed the DHLT Network to deal with medical data. Currently, patients have limited access to their health information, and they have no real control over their own data.
DeHealth's DHLT (Decentralized Health Token) puts the control in the patients' hands and incentivizes them to make better, healthier choices. This happens through the ability to monetize their medical assets (e.g., their health data and future health activities), which is an excellent motivator for becoming an engaged and active participant in their health journey.
In addition, this "medical marketplace" operates on blockchain technology. This means that everything is transparent and accurate for better accountability. The blockchain ensures patient data is secure, and it prevents any retroactive changes to the data as well. It also means that users can "invest" their depersonalized medical data in the global healthcare industry and reap dividends that they choose, such as capital to put toward medicines or money to be withdrawn to their personal accounts.
DeHealth's DHLT (Decentralized Health Token) puts the control in the patients' hands and incentivizes them to make better, healthier choices. This happens through the ability to monetize their medical assets (e.g., their health data and future health activities), which is an excellent motivator for becoming an engaged and active participant in their health journey.
In addition, this "medical marketplace" operates on blockchain technology. This means that everything is transparent and accurate for better accountability. The blockchain ensures patient data is secure, and it prevents any retroactive changes to the data as well. It also means that users can "invest" their depersonalized medical data in the global healthcare industry and reap dividends that they choose, such as capital to put toward medicines or money to be withdrawn to their personal accounts.
3. Metaverse Convergence
Currently, healthcare is siloed in a way that makes it nearly impossible to get truly comprehensive care. Healthcare professionals have no easy or convenient way to "join forces" and help a patient from multiple avenues.
For example, a person with chronic pain may need to regularly consult with a physical therapist, pain specialist, mental health provider and GP. In addition, there may be instances where their pain isn't improving, but it's not apparent why.
The metaverse can solve this problem in two ways. Firstly, the metaverse allows patient activity monitoring through IoT-style connectivity (usually called the Internet of Medical Devices). This gives a more complete picture of things like compliance and expected clinical outcomes. If the patient with chronic pain is suffering from depression and struggling to complete PT exercises, then the metaverse allows providers to come to this conclusion much more efficiently.
Secondly, access to blockchain technology for medical data allows for near-instantaneous data sharing among a patient's healthcare team. This is another aspect of the DeHealth DHLT network. Patients have their health token, and they can use this to give immediate access to their entire medical history safely and securely via blockchain. This means better collaboration between medical professionals and between the doctor and patient.
For example, a person with chronic pain may need to regularly consult with a physical therapist, pain specialist, mental health provider and GP. In addition, there may be instances where their pain isn't improving, but it's not apparent why.
The metaverse can solve this problem in two ways. Firstly, the metaverse allows patient activity monitoring through IoT-style connectivity (usually called the Internet of Medical Devices). This gives a more complete picture of things like compliance and expected clinical outcomes. If the patient with chronic pain is suffering from depression and struggling to complete PT exercises, then the metaverse allows providers to come to this conclusion much more efficiently.
Secondly, access to blockchain technology for medical data allows for near-instantaneous data sharing among a patient's healthcare team. This is another aspect of the DeHealth DHLT network. Patients have their health token, and they can use this to give immediate access to their entire medical history safely and securely via blockchain. This means better collaboration between medical professionals and between the doctor and patient.
Step Into the Metaverse For Better Health
While we primarily use virtual worlds and Web3 hosting for recreation, the time has come to leverage this technology for a better, brighter future. The metaverse is the key to transforming how we approach our everyday lives, and embracing it is the first step toward a healthcare revolution.
DeHealth is building the first "healthy" crypto-community and metaverse for healthcare.
With a web 3.0 protocol, the DHLT Network, we believe that dealing with medical data has to be secured, transparent and monetized on a special marketplace gathering patients, clinics, big pharma and other participants of the healthcare industry. To change how patients and healthcare providers share, monetize and store information for a better, faster, more connected healthcare system – this is the challenge that DeHealth is solving with its tool today.