Last week, the operating room at Shwe La Min Hospital became the site of a notable event in the medical field. There was a focused activity as professionals assembled to explore a new frontier in global healthcare collaboration through technology facilitated by the Metaverse.
The Veyond Connect platform by Veyond Metaverse served as the central tool in this experiment, aiming to foster collaboration between surgeons situated in Yangon and Paris. This technology did more than just link Shwe La Min Hospital in Yangon with surgeons in Paris; it virtually placed them in the same room, allowing them to collaborate as if they were standing side by side. The initiative aspired to go beyond just bridging the physical distances, aiming to redefine healthcare delivery globally.
Adam Choe, Joon Chung, and Professor Dr. Flam from Veyond Metaverse emphasized the broader goal behind this project. In the words of Choe, this digital surgery was not confined to technology advancements but harbored broader aspirations. “It’s a movement. We aim to reshape global healthcare, ensuring top-tier healthcare access for billions,” he commented.
Exploration of New Healthcare Frontiers
This collaborative project was not solely about minimizing geographical distances. It sought to utilize state-of-the-art XR technology, immersive experiences, and tactile haptic feedback to potentially redefine the prevailing norms in healthcare delivery and other industries. The intention behind digital surgery, as demonstrated, was to pave the way for an enhanced understanding of healthcare provision untethered by geographical constraints.
The efforts of Veyond Metaverse in this sector have garnered attention, as evidenced by their nominations at the 7th International VR Awards and the Digital Health Awards 2023. Furthermore, Shwe La Min Hospital aims to continue its journey towards becoming a beacon of healthcare excellence in Myanmar.
Potential Prospects in Virtual Healthcare
Incorporating healthcare services within the Metaverse might present many advantages for healthcare professionals and patients. Integrating medical services into virtual environments could improve patient engagement, more accessible healthcare delivery, and economic solutions.
Besides its applications in patient care and medical training, VR technology is branching out into other innovative spheres within the healthcare sector. Notably, several hospitals are experimenting with virtual tour guides designed to welcome visitors as they arrive. These guides, aided by computer-generated voices, facilitate navigation through the hospital premises, aiming to minimize confusion in bustling hospital settings for visitors and staff.
Therapy Utilizing VR Technology
Psychologists are also progressively incorporating VR technology into therapy sessions. This adaptation enables patients to address past traumatic events or explore emotions linked to social anxiety or phobias in a safeguarded environment.
Technological advancements such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) promise to reshape patient-doctor interactions, possibly facilitating more tailored treatment plans and aiding in swift and precise diagnoses during surgeries. Moreover, VR could offer a safe environment for medical professionals to practice complex procedures, potentially reducing risks associated with training on real patients.