promise of the metaverse in cardiovascular health

"Since Mark Zuckerberg announced he was rebranding Facebook Inc as Meta Platforms in order to develop a metaverse, there has been much debate about the promise of such a technological concept. The use of virtual reality (VR) has been analysed in evidence-based studies in niche areas, but the metaverse offers so much more: a complex, virtual realm where people can communicate with each other and build relationships. This is something worth considering in the delivery of healthcare.

The rise of the metaverse

After Mark Zuckerberg announced his intention in October 2021 to focus huge resources on developing a network of three-dimensional virtual worlds focused on social media connection, known as a metaverse, investors, policy-makers, and the general public snapped to attention. The concept of the metaverse—defined as a VR space in which users can interact with other users in a computer-generated social environment—first appeared in science fiction novels such as Snow Crash and Ready Player One. This new ‘virtual internet’ has also presented such bright promises and high hopes that it naturally attracted the attention of visionaries and futurists too. Although many find it hard to wrap their heads around the concept, it still makes one wonder what the metaverse could possibly bring to medicine and healthcare. In recent years, studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals analysing how VR could improve patient care. It has been shown to ease pain, to aid mental health management and work against phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder..." Lire la suite