Last week, the operating room of Shwe La Min Hospital became the site of a remarkable event in the medical field. There was focused activity as professionals gathered to explore a new frontier in global healthcare collaboration through technology facilitated by the Metaverse.
The Veyond Connect platform from Veyond Metaverse served as a central tool in this experiment, with the aim of promoting collaboration between surgeons in Yangon and Paris. This technology did more than just connect Yangon’s Shwe La Min Hospital to surgeons in Paris; it put them virtually in the same room, allowing them to work together as if they were standing next to each other. The initiative aimed to go beyond just bridging physical distances, with the aim of redefining healthcare worldwide.
Adam Choe, Joon Chung and Professor Dr. Flam from Veyond Metaverse emphasized the broader purpose behind this project. In Choe’s words, this digital surgery was not limited to technological advances, but had broader ambitions. “It’s a movement. We aim to reshape global healthcare to ensure access to the best healthcare for billions of people,” he said.
Exploring new frontiers in healthcare
This collaborative project was not just about minimizing geographic distances. It sought to use cutting-edge XR technology, immersive experiences and tactile haptic feedback to potentially redefine prevailing norms in healthcare and other industries. The intention behind digital surgery, as demonstrated, was to pave the way for a better understanding of healthcare delivery, regardless of geographical limitations.
Veyond Metaverse’s efforts in this sector have attracted 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 to become a beacon of healthcare excellence in to become Myanmar. .
Potential prospects in virtual healthcare
Including healthcare services within the Metaverse could provide many benefits for healthcare professionals and patients. Integrating medical services into virtual environments could improve patient engagement, more accessible healthcare offerings, and economic solutions.
In addition to applications in patient care and medical training, VR technology is also spreading to other innovative domains within healthcare. Notably, several hospitals are experimenting with virtual guides designed to welcome visitors as soon as they arrive. These guides, aided by computer-generated voices, facilitate navigation through the hospital building, with the aim of minimizing confusion for visitors and staff in the busy hospital environment.
Therapy using VR technology
Psychologists are also gradually integrating this VR technology in therapy sessions. This adaptation allows patients to address past traumatic events or explore emotions related to social anxiety or phobias in a protected environment.
Technological advances such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) promise to reshape patient-physician interactions, potentially facilitating more customized treatment plans and aiding in quick and accurate diagnoses during surgery. Additionally, VR could provide a safe environment for medical professionals to practice complex procedures, potentially reducing the risks associated with training on real patients.