Metaverse and telemedicine: Creating a seamless virtual healthcare experience

The increasing internet penetration and smartphone usage in rural India have created an untapped market for healthtech solutions, improving accessibility and healthcare delivery

- Vikram Thaploo

The future of healthcare systems is uncertain due to the increasing costs of healthcare, infrastructure, an aging population, and a shortage of healthcare personnel. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for solutions to manage patients outside hospitals, and it is crucial to establish models that relocate healthcare to the patient's living room. Telemedicine and telehealth technologies have made it possible to communicate with doctors remotely, and their use has increased significantly in recent years. Accenture research shows that the number of healthcare facilities delivering remote therapy services increased from 43% to 95% after the pandemic began.

With the advent of the Metaverse, this number is likely to expand further, and an increasing number of customers worldwide will use this technology to receive professional care. The advancements in technology, such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality, have broadened the zone of choices for modern patients, changing the patterns of consumer behavior.

The medical sector, which has been progressive for many decades, is prepared to embrace this new Metaverse concept.

What is Metaverse?

The Metaverse can be thought of as the next iteration of the internet, enabling a seamless convergence of physical and virtual communities for people to work, play, transact or socialize. It serves as a catalyst for technologies like Blockchain, loT, and digital twins to reach their full potential.