[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":360},["ShallowReactive",2],{"slug-here-are-our-bets-on-what-each-tech-giant-will-do-next-as-part-of-their-journey-into-the-healthcare-space":3},{"post":4,"relatedPosts":159,"relatedBooks":274},{"id":5,"date":6,"date_gmt":7,"guid":8,"modified":10,"modified_gmt":11,"slug":12,"status":13,"type":14,"link":15,"title":16,"content":18,"excerpt":21,"author":23,"featured_media":24,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":29,"categories":30,"tags":34,"project_category":39,"contact_email_category":41,"yst_prominent_words":42,"class_list":45,"better_featured_image":60,"acf":93,"yoast_meta":103,"_links":106},42091,"2022-04-14T10:00:00","2022-04-14T08:00:00",{"rendered":9},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=42091&_wpnonce=a4cf324da0&status=auto-draft&type=post","2022-04-14T11:19:11","2022-04-14T09:19:11","here-are-our-bets-on-what-each-tech-giant-will-do-next-as-part-of-their-journey-into-the-healthcare-space","publish","post","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhere-are-our-bets-on-what-each-tech-giant-will-do-next-as-part-of-their-journey-into-the-healthcare-space",{"rendered":17},"One Rational Expectation For Each: The Next Healthcare Moves Of Tech Giants",{"rendered":19,"protected":20},"\n\u003Cp>Walmart announced the opening of \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fbrucejapsen\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F05\u002Fwalmart-launches-doctor-staffed-health-clinics-in-lucrative-florida-market\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">five new ‘Walmart Health’ Centres\u003C\u002Fa> in Florida in April, promising low-cost healthcare services. Not very surprising given how the American firm has been steadily building a foothold in this industry in recent years without any signs of slowing down. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the U.S., Walmart established \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.beckershospitalreview.com\u002Ffinance\u002Fis-walmart-health-the-future-of-us-healthcare.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">600 COVID-19 testing sites\u003C\u002Fa> during the pandemic; before the current announcement, Walmart Health business has rolled out in 20 locations across Arkansas, Georgia and Illinois in the last three years complete with primary care, emergency care, labs and more. By 2029, Walmart’s board even plans to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.beckershospitalreview.com\u002Fconsumerism\u002F9-numbers-that-show-how-big-walmart-s-role-in-healthcare-is.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">scale to 4,000 clinics\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Their aim is to make quality healthcare more affordable and accessible, and their advantage in potentially achieving that is that \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.beckershospitalreview.com\u002Fconsumerism\u002F9-numbers-that-show-how-big-walmart-s-role-in-healthcare-is.html\" target=\"_blank\">90% of Americans live within 10 miles\u003C\u002Fa> of a Walmart store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This newest episode of non-healthcare mammoth companies and \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftech-giants-in-healthcare-2021\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">tech giants\u003C\u002Fa>’ march\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Ftech-giants-in-healthcare-2021-summary\" target=\"_blank\"> into the health business\u003C\u002Fa> made us think about what others will do next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So here it is, a list of our expectations. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Apple: Watch measuring blood pressure and blood glucose levels\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Producing a device every 6th person has in their pocket worldwide, it seems clear how Apple can reach the field to play on. Not to mention another health tool: Apple holds the largest share of the global smartwatch shipment market. In the first quarter of 2020, that accounted for a substantial 47.9% share of the market. The company has been heavily leveraging the popularity of its smartwatch for its healthcare plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Through Apple Watch, the company has built an excellent pathway to electronic health records, too. Apple’s Health app aims to bridge patients and doctors, and all the data in-between. Users can share their health data collected by the Health app directly to EMRs, like Cerner, which is already supporting this feature. Seamlessly sharing patient healthcare data from an Apple device to an EMR and this being viewable by a doctor or caregiver represent a major step in facilitating digital health approaches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F07\u002Ftmf_article_279-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35099\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F07\u002Ftmf_article_279-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F07\u002Ftmf_article_279-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F07\u002Ftmf_article_279-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F07\u002Ftmf_article_279-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The company entered the healthcare market later than its competitors but is working on acquiring a significant share, if its recent moves offer any indication. To validate the efficacy of its Apple Watch, the company has teamed up \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.beckershospitalreview.com\u002Fhealthcare-information-technology\u002F5-ways-apple-has-expanded-into-healthcare-in-the-last-month.html\" target=\"_blank\">with various institutions for establishing its clinical accuracy\u003C\u002Fa>. The cardiac metrics it monitors is \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.computerworld.com\u002Farticle\u002F3613408\u002Fapple-watch-yields-heart-data-nearly-as-good-as-clinical-tests-report-claims.html\" target=\"_blank\">as good as clinical tests\u003C\u002Fa>. The results suggest that the Apple Watch could thus be \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fapple-backed-stanford-study-suggests-iphone-apple-watch-could-remotely-monitor-heart-patients\" target=\"_blank\">adequate for remote monitoring\u003C\u002Fa> of elderly patients with cardiovascular disease. However, it is also true that a recent study suggests that younger users \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002F2022\u002F3\u002F2\u002F22958156\u002Fapple-watch-heart-rhythm-detection-benefit\" target=\"_blank\">might not fully benefit \u003C\u002Fa>from the capabilities of the watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, the Tech Giant is showing further interest in healthcare A.I. as it is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fapple-hiring-machine-learning-scientist-early-disease-detection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reportedly developing machine learning algorithms\u003C\u002Fa> to detect certain conditions early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">We bet on: Watch measuring blood pressure and blood glucose levels\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Predicting their next move, we bet on Apple focusing on consumer tech and expanding Apple Watch sensor functions with blood pressure and blood glucose level monitoring through the existing hardware. What we expect is that instead of integrating new sensors, the algorithm will be developed to calculate blood pressure and blood glucose levels based on the already available and measurable metrics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">IBM: Turning towards the more profitable drug design\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Watson Health, IBM’s A.I. healthcare arm has met considerable challenges in recent years. It received wide criticism \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fibm-responds-recent-watson-media-coverage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">following reports\u003C\u002Fa> that questioned its diagnostic prowess while pointing out potential risks to patients’ safety. It also faced management issues and had to lay off part of its workforce in 2018. This all culminated in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hpcwire.com\u002F2022\u002F01\u002F21\u002Fibm-watson-health-finally-sold-by-ibm-after-11-months-of-rumors\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">selling Watson Health \u003C\u002Fa>in January 2022.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"297\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F11\u002Fibm-watson-768x297.jpg\" alt=\"Opioid Crisis\" class=\"wp-image-16643\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F11\u002Fibm-watson-768x297.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F11\u002Fibm-watson-512x198.jpg 512w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F11\u002Fibm-watson-458x177.jpg 458w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2017\u002F11\u002Fibm-watson.jpg 870w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The company invested considerable resources into Watson Health, and parting with the project gave ground to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Fhow-ibm-watson-overpromised-and-underdelivered-on-ai-health-care\" target=\"_blank\">widespread speculations\u003C\u002Fa> about whether it \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercebiotech.com\u002Fmedtech\u002Fibm-to-wind-down-watson-s-work-ai-based-drug-discovery-report\" target=\"_blank\">will be the end\u003C\u002Fa> of the company’s healthcare affairs. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For now, we are team no. For over a century, tech company IBM was known for its innovation and client focus. Although in recent years, its glory in innovation has faded, we think this is not the end of the IBM in healthcare story. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In quantum computing, IBM took the lead but is in a tight race with other tech giants like Google. IBM is also trying to stay on board with being at the forefront of the use of blockchain in a medical setting, co-operating for example with Moderna, and having enterprise-level customers like the State of New York for a blockchain-secured health certificate app.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">We bet on: Turning towards the more profitable drug design \u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We expect IBM will not exit the healthcare industry altogether but will change its focus. Instead of medical decision-making support, the more lucrative \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fanalyticsindiamag.com\u002Fwhat-is-ibms-gt4sd\u002F\">drug design\u003C\u002Fa> has real promises for the company, as A.I. has both a larger role and a larger footprint in that specific area. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Amazon: Expanding in-person care nationwide in the US\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In recent years, Amazon’s healthcare efforts have seen both ups and downs. The major down being \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fedition.cnn.com\u002F2021\u002F01\u002F04\u002Finvesting\u002Fhaven-shutting-down-amazon-jpmorgan-berkshire\u002Findex.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the end of Haven\u003C\u002Fa>, a partnership it started with Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and J.P. Morgan Chase. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On the contrary, Amazon Care, the company’s telehealth branch is now available nationwide in the US, while the company has recently \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.politico.com\u002Fnewsletters\u002Ffuture-pulse\u002F2022\u002F03\u002F30\u002Famazons-telehealth-gold-rush-00021222\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">launched in-person care in 20 cities\u003C\u002Fa>. Meanwhile, they secured a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.forbes.com\u002Fsites\u002Fsaibala\u002F2022\u002F03\u002F23\u002Famazons-new-partnership-with-teladoc-is-a-huge-milestone-for-telemedicine\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">partnership with Teladoc\u003C\u002Fa>, one of the major telehealth providers in the country, which will allow people to access its services through their Alexa devices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"Amazon's March Into Healthcare\" class=\"wp-image-34785\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F06\u002Ftmf_article_275-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We are not talking about trinkets here, the US telehealth industry is expected to grow into a 20-billion-dollar business in a few years. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And we also should not forget about Amazon Pharmacy, a division steadily expanding since 2017, which recently took on drug discount platforms, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercehealthcare.com\u002Fhealth-tech\u002Famazon-pharmacy-teams-blue-plans-five-states-roll-out-prescription-discount-savings\" target=\"_blank\">launching a prescription discount savings card\u003C\u002Fa> in five states.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">We bet on: Expanding in-person care nationwide in the US\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We expect Amazon to expand in-person care all over the United States. It remains to be seen if Walmart will have a say about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Google\u002FAlphabet: Aim to conquer the drug design market with DeepMind\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Of all these tech giants, Google is the one that knows what exactly people want. Even more: some say it can even direct that will. And people sure want health: 7% of all Google searches (an astounding 70,000 per minute) are health-related around the world. The search giant has repeatedly successfully transferred its in-depth knowledge of algorithms in the field of medicine, particularly since it acquired DeepMind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_281-02-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35327\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_281-02-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_281-02-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_281-02-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_281-02.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Whether it’s in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fdeepmind.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">medical A.I.\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgoogles-acquisition-of-fitbit-boon-or-doom-for-the-fitness-tracking-industry\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fitness tracking\u003C\u002Fa>, Google’s presence in healthcare is palpable through its numerous arms, which are forging ahead in the field. Verily, Google’s Alphabet healthcare branch, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fiercebiotech.com\u002Fmedtech\u002Fotsuka-and-click-therapeutics-tap-verily-s-platform-for-digital-depression-treatment-study\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">announced its partnership\u003C\u002Fa> with Otsuka and Click Therapeutics in February 2021 for a clinical trial that will study the effects of digital interventions on patients with major depressive disorder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Google had some missteps along the way, too, from Google Glass to launching-relaunching, now shutting down again its Google Health branch. But don’t give up on Google in healthcare: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fgoogles-masterplan-for-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">if the company wants in, it will be in\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">We bet on: Aim to conquer the drug design market with DeepMindz\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Based \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nature.com\u002Farticles\u002Fd41586-021-02025-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">on the results \u003C\u002Fa>of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.suryaa.com\u002F107798-googles-parent-company-launches-ai-driven-drug-discovery-start-up.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alphabet’s protein folding\u003C\u002Fa>, we expect the company’s next step will be to try and conquer the drug design market. There are two reasons to predict this. First, this segment offers unlimited potential, and also is the one where Alphabet has achieved most of all potential competitors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Microsoft: Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software and solutions\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Software giant Microsoft has a complicated history with healthcare. In 2019, it \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedcitynews.com\u002F2019\u002F04\u002Fmicrosoft-healthvault-is-officially-shutting-down-in-november\u002F?rf=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pulled the plug on HealthVault\u003C\u002Fa>, its online personal health record system, which was launched in 2007. Its line of fitness trackers, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.theverge.com\u002Fcircuitbreaker\u002F2016\u002F10\u002F3\u002F13152590\u002Fmicrosoft-band-discontinued\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Microsoft Band\u003C\u002Fa>, also followed a similar fate. But instead of giving up, Microsoft refocused its efforts towards cloud computing and A.I. in healthcare. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 2021, the company released its Vaccine Registration and Application System aimed at assisting the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in the U.S. However, users \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnew-jersey-blames-microsoft-weeks-vaccine-rollout-glitches\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">encountered issues\u003C\u002Fa> with the platform, which were addressed with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fmicrosoft-releases-new-vaccine-management-platform-after-technical-issues\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a new offering\u003C\u002Fa>. In the U.K. Microsoft \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Fen-gb\u002F2021\u002F03\u002F19\u002Fmicrosoft-to-work-with-13-start-ups-using-ai-to-help-uks-health-manufacturing-and-resource-sectors\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">teamed with 13 startups\u003C\u002Fa> working on A.I. tools to help the country’s healthcare sector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35453\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_283-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In September 2020, Microsoft \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002F2022\u002F03\u002F15\u002Fmicrosoft-expands-healthcare-cloud-strategy-with-new-solutions-and-capabilities-across-data-ai-and-clinician-experiences\u002F#:~:text=Microsoft%20Cloud%20for%20Healthcare%20launched,and%20enabling%20health%20data%20interoperability.\" target=\"_blank\">launched Cloud for Healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>, a new, healthcare-centric cloud. It integrates the company’s existing services like Microsoft Teams, Azure IoT and its Healthcare Bot. These tools aim to assist with collaboration among staff and carry out telemedicine consultations and have been extended by a \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcloudblogs.microsoft.com\u002Findustry-blog\u002Fhealth\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F05\u002Fmicrosoft-cloud-for-healthcare-transforming-patient-care-through-data-and-insights\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">vast number of new functions ever since\u003C\u002Fa>. In April 2021 Microsoft acquired A.I.-powered speech-technology company, Nuance. The company’s software can listen and transcribe doctor-patient conversations into organised medical notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">We bet on: Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software and solutions\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Creating EMR software and solutions for the healthcare industry is the most logical direction Microsoft can focus on, as it plays on their natural strengths. Microsoft has always shined on the enterprise side of anything. By delivering its computing know-how and the fact that most medical professionals are familiar with the way Microsoft’s computers are built and operate, the tech giant only needs to keep being good at what it already knows. Not to mention the fact that an overwhelming majority of hospital computers are running Windows already. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NVIDIA: Focus on architecture to boost medical device and med-tech companies\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Who would’ve thought NVIDIA has been active in healthcare for over a decade – the company helped bring innovative diagnostic imaging, robotic surgery and patient monitoring devices to the market. The processor unit manufacturer launched its A.I. platform, Clara in 2018, designed to augment medical imaging and genomics. It followed up a year later with a toolkit for radiologists, Clara A.I., to help with the classification of images. In 2019, the tech giant also started to explore federated learning in healthcare, the privacy-focused A.I. training method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_285-01-768x432.png\" alt=\"NVIDIA\" class=\"wp-image-35637\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_285-01-768x432.png 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_285-01-370x208.png 370w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_285-01-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F08\u002Ftmf_article_285-01.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The graphics processing unit (GPU) manufacturer has been \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fnvidia-in-healthcare-2021\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">making strides in the healthcare\u003C\u002Fa> industry ever since. Its 2021 foray in healthcare involved \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mobihealthnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnvidia-harvard-team-genome-research-toolkit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a partnership with Harvard University\u003C\u002Fa> to develop an A.I.-based genome research toolkit. It is even touted as being able to sequence a whole genome in 30 minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And here is their most recent report \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogs.nvidia.com\u002Fblog\u002F2022\u002F04\u002F04\u002Fhealthcare-ai-medical-device-companies-gtc\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">of upcoming promises in the segment\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">We bet on: Focus on architecture to boost medical devices and med-tech companies\u003C\u002Fh4>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>We expect NVIDIA will strongly focus on becoming the go-to supplier of the industry, with further polishing \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.medicaldevice-network.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnvidia-clara-holoscan-mgx-medical-device\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recently developed architecture\u003C\u002Fa>, providing a boost to medical device manufacturers and med-tech companies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>So, bets are on the table, we continue to follow all healthcare-related moves of these companies closely, and will report on any new initiatives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",false,{"rendered":22,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>Here are our bets on what each tech giant will do next as part of their journey into the healthcare space. \u003C\u002Fp>\n",6,33787,"closed",true,"","standard",{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31,32,33],7079,6261,521,[35,36,37,38],207,246,275,5039,[40],947,[],[43,44],1615,1683,[46,14,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59],"post-42091","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tmf","category-forecast","category-future-medicine","tag-digital-health","tag-future","tag-healthcare","tag-tech-giants","project_category-company",{"id":24,"alt_text":27,"caption":27,"description":61,"media_type":62,"media_details":63,"post":91,"source_url":92},"Tech Giants In 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Rational Expectation For Each: The Next Healthcare Moves Of Tech Giants The Medical Futurist","Here are our bets on what tech giants will do next as part of their journey into the healthcare space, one rational expectation for each of them.",{"self":107,"collection":113,"about":116,"author":119,"replies":122,"version-history":125,"predecessor-version":129,"wp:featuredmedia":133,"wp:attachment":136,"wp:term":139,"curies":155},[108],{"href":109,"targetHints":110},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F42091",{"allow":111},[112],"GET",[114],{"href":115},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts",[117],{"href":118},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fpost",[120],{"embeddable":26,"href":121},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F6",[123],{"embeddable":26,"href":124},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=42091",[126],{"count":127,"href":128},16,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F42091\u002Frevisions",[130],{"id":131,"href":132},42381,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F42091\u002Frevisions\u002F42381",[134],{"embeddable":26,"href":135},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F33787",[137],{"href":138},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=42091",[140,143,146,149,152],{"taxonomy":141,"embeddable":26,"href":142},"category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=42091",{"taxonomy":144,"embeddable":26,"href":145},"post_tag","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=42091",{"taxonomy":147,"embeddable":26,"href":148},"project_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=42091",{"taxonomy":150,"embeddable":26,"href":151},"contact_email_category","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=42091",{"taxonomy":153,"embeddable":26,"href":154},"yst_prominent_words","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=42091",[156],{"name":157,"href":158,"templated":26},"wp","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.w.org\u002F{rel}",[160],{"id":102,"date":161,"date_gmt":162,"guid":163,"modified":165,"modified_gmt":166,"slug":167,"status":13,"type":14,"link":168,"title":169,"content":171,"excerpt":173,"author":127,"featured_media":175,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"sticky":26,"template":27,"format":28,"meta":176,"categories":177,"tags":182,"project_category":186,"contact_email_category":187,"yst_prominent_words":188,"class_list":194,"better_featured_image":203,"acf":222,"yoast_meta":229,"_links":232},"2022-03-03T10:00:00","2022-03-03T09:00:00",{"rendered":164},"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_id=39957&_wpnonce=73a81c3423&status=auto-draft&type=post","2022-03-11T09:36:37","2022-03-11T08:36:37","how-the-metaverse-could-or-could-not-transform-healthcare","https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fhow-the-metaverse-could-or-could-not-transform-healthcare",{"rendered":170},"How The Metaverse Could (Or Could Not) Transform Healthcare",{"rendered":172,"protected":20},"\n\u003Cp>If you’ve browsed the internet in the last couple of months, the term ‘metaverse’ is likely to have been thrown at you at least once. Facebook \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fabout.fb.com\u002Fnews\u002F2021\u002F10\u002Ffacebook-company-is-now-meta\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rebranded itself\u003C\u002Fa> after the concept and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Finnovation-stories\u002Fmesh-for-microsoft-teams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">other companies\u003C\u002Fa> are adopting the metaverse with their own spin; betting heavily that it will be the next iteration of the internet where we will work and play alike. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As healthcare increasingly incorporates an online segment in the digital health era, one cannot help but wonder how – or even if – this touted future of the internet will influence this sphere. As such, we decided to step into the metaverse and contemplate how it can factor in healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What is the metaverse?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This is a tricky question as there is not a general consensus on the definition of metaverse. Microsoft \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Finnovation-stories\u002Fmesh-for-microsoft-teams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">calls it\u003C\u002Fa> “a persistent digital world that is inhabited by digital twins of people, places and things”; while Mark Zuckerberg \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fabout.fb.com\u002Fnews\u002F2021\u002F10\u002Ffacebook-company-is-now-meta\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">says that\u003C\u002Fa> in the metaverse, “you’ll be able to do almost anything you can imagine”.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What is Microsoft's Metaverse?\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FQw6UCwCt4bE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The term ‘metaverse’ itself isn’t totally new. It was first coined by author Neal Stephenson in his classic sci-fi book \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.goodreads.com\u002Fbook\u002Fshow\u002F40651883-snow-crash\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Snow Crash\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa> published in 1992. In it, the Metaverse represents a virtual reality (VR)-based successor to the internet which is populated by users’ virtual avatars. There have been other depictions of such an internet successor such as the OASIS in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.goodreads.com\u002Fbook\u002Fshow\u002F9969571-ready-player-one\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Ready Player One\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>; but they are similar in that they represent a new, more interactive way for people to interact online in a thriving, VR-enabled virtual world with its own economy and communities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Some would argue that metaverses \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnewsletters\u002F2022-02-11\u002Fthe-metaverse-makes-no-sense-and-here-s-why\" target=\"_blank\">have been around for decades\u003C\u002Fa> if one is to go by the virtual world concept. \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsecondlife.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cem>Second Life\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>, launched in 2003, is an example; while others like \u003Cem>Roblox \u003C\u002Fem>and \u003Cem>Fortnite\u003C\u002Fem> are often considered as “\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fspectrum.ieee.org\u002Fmetaverse-second-life\" target=\"_blank\">proto-metaverses\u003C\u002Fa>”. But the main idea that Big Tech is pushing forward is extending activities that we are already performing in real life to the digital one more seamlessly, where franchises from Marvel to \u003Cem>The Lord of the Rings\u003C\u002Fem> intermingle and where people smoothly go to work and entertain themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What the metaverse would look like in a healthcare setting\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Traditional access to the metaverse has been depicted through a VR headset; and this is exactly what Meta envisions with \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gamesindustry.biz\u002Farticles\u002F2021-12-03-oculus-quest-to-rebrand-as-meta-quest-in-2022\" target=\"_blank\">its rebranded Meta Quest arm\u003C\u002Fa>, which develops VR hardware and software. Going by VR alone, the approach holds \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002F5-ways-medical-vr-is-changing-healthcare\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">tremendous potential in healthcare\u003C\u002Fa>. There is a growing number of studies that already point to VR as being a beneficial, drug-free alternative for therapeutic pathways, whether it’s in \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.stgeorges.nhs.uk\u002Fnewsitem\u002Fvr-headsets-relaxing-patients-during-surgery-at-st-georges\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">reducing post-surgical pain\u003C\u002Fa>, \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fvirtual-reality-help-women-get-through-childbirth-with-less-pain\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">making childbirth less painful\u003C\u002Fa> or \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.apa.org\u002Fmonitor\u002Fjulaug05\u002Fcure\" target=\"_blank\">treating phobias\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"One-Minute Challenge: Virtual Reality - The Medical Futurist\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FIVfmkds2PcQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, this is different from the concept of the metaverse. In the latter, instead of using a VR headset only for therapy, one would meet their therapist through the device as a digital avatar; have their consultation held in a virtual office; and can even head to a virtual pharmacy to order their prescription medicine (or VR app). Following that, they can meet up with fellow patient communities to share, in their avatar form, their treatment progress; and discuss new developments pertinent to their ailments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This offers a case to enhance the user experience as compared to online patient forums or current telemedical visits which happen through a flat screen. As such visits \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fcovid-19-was-needed-for-telemedicine-to-finally-go-mainstream\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">have become commonplace\u003C\u002Fa>, equipping them with a better interface could entice healthcare providers to extend their services to the metaverse. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Moreover, with the interconnectedness that seems to be integral to this “new internet”, a patient’s digital avatar \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techtimes.com\u002Farticles\u002F271630\u002F20220209\u002Fmetaverse-and-healthcare-what-s-in-it-for-you.htm\">will carry their digital medical\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techtimes.com\u002Farticles\u002F271630\u002F20220209\u002Fmetaverse-and-healthcare-what-s-in-it-for-you.htm\" target=\"_blank\"> \u003C\u002Fa>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techtimes.com\u002Farticles\u002F271630\u002F20220209\u002Fmetaverse-and-healthcare-what-s-in-it-for-you.htm\">data\u003C\u002Fa> collected from direct-to-consumer services and wearables – essentially any digital data – and can more easily share them to their physician in the healthcare metaverse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Is providing healthcare in the metaverse feasible?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As enticing as the prospect of extending healthcare to the metaverse sounds, we must consider its feasibility. The sheer volume of personal health data that will be involved represents \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fyour-privacy-in-the-digital-health-era-the-medical-futurists-guide\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a security and privacy concern\u003C\u002Fa>. One technology that has been touted to address such concerns is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmedicalfuturist.com\u002Fwhat-the-hell-is-blockchain-what-does-it-mean-for-healthcare-and-pharma\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">blockchain\u003C\u002Fa>. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Companies like \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.burstiq.com\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">BurstIQ\u003C\u002Fa> are already leveraging this technology to \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.techtimes.com\u002Farticles\u002F271630\u002F20220209\u002Fmetaverse-and-healthcare-what-s-in-it-for-you.htm\" target=\"_blank\">assist healthcare institutions\u003C\u002Fa> in addressing healthcare themes such as risk assessment, patient engagement and secure handling of personal health data. Having a transparent approach to handling such sensitive information can help build trust for patients to head to the metaverse for medical purposes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, implementing this approach will represent a challenge of its own. Current metaverse contenders like \u003Cem>Fortnight \u003C\u002Fem>and \u003Cem>Roblox \u003C\u002Fem>aren’t interoperable, neither is Meta’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oculus.com\u002Fexperiences\u002Fquest\u002F2532035600194083\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cem>Horizon Worlds\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa> with Microsoft’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fnews.microsoft.com\u002Finnovation-stories\u002Fmesh-for-microsoft-teams\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u003Cem>Mesh\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fa>. One cannot bring content obtained, bought or created in \u003Cem>Roblox \u003C\u002Fem>to \u003Cem>Horizon Worlds \u003C\u002Fem>and vice versa; and this goes against the concept of the metaverse in the first place. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Given how healthcare and electronic health systems have \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.healthcareitnews.com\u002Fnews\u002Finteroperability-where-its-headed-and-where-it-leaders-will-be-investing\" target=\"_blank\">a notorious legacy of interoperability issues\u003C\u002Fa>, thinking that the metaverse will take those woes away might be a pipedream. Already we are seeing separate visions and differing versions of the metaverse from Big Tech that don’t talk with each other, leading us to think in terms of ‘metaverses’ instead of a single interoperable metaverse. These \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bloomberg.com\u002Fnews\u002Fnewsletters\u002F2022-02-11\u002Fthe-metaverse-makes-no-sense-and-here-s-why\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">logistics issues\u003C\u002Fa> cannot be taken lightly, especially when it comes to healthcare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>On top of that comes practical issues with access to and handling VR headsets that pose as enablers of the metaverse. At $300, the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.oculus.com\u002Fquest-2\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Meta Quest 2\u003C\u002Fa> is arguably the most affordable way to get quality VR content. But even that price, significantly lower than other competitors’ headsets, might be a barrier to access the metaverse. Even those who adopt such a device might encounter other hurdles with the setting up the device; or simply having a 500g load strapped to one’s forehead might not be totally comfortable for extended periods of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s so much easier to communicate with people through phones and\u002For social media sites that envisioning all this happening in the metaverse seems like a far-fetched sci-fi idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>When life imitates art…\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It should not be forgotten that metaverse concepts from sources like \u003Cem>Snow Crash \u003C\u002Fem>and \u003Cem>Ready Player One\u003C\u002Fem>, which have clearly inspired Big tech, are set in a dystopian backdrop. And these might be drawing eerie parallels in the real-life metaverses. There have already been \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.technologyreview.com\u002F2021\u002F12\u002F16\u002F1042516\u002Fthe-metaverse-has-a-groping-problem\u002F\" target=\"_blank\">reports of sexual harrasments\u003C\u002Fa> in Meta’s Horizon Worlds app and other online virtual worlds. If tech companies cannot ensure a safe place in the metaverse at such an early stage, it raises questions as to how they will ensure it when (or if) more people engage with the platform. This does not paint a very promising picture of the internet’s so-called successor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>However, the recent push for the metaverse felt nothing like an organic move. The Facebook Company’s rebranding to Meta might very well have been a diversion tactic following \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bbc.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002Ftechnology-58784615\" target=\"_blank\">years of bad press\u003C\u002Fa>. And by betting on and overhyping something as vague as the metaverse and keeping it so \u003Ca rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fez.substack.com\u002Fp\u002Fmark-zuckerberg-is-a-liar-and-hes?utm_source=url\" target=\"_blank\">makes it impossible to fail\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s important to know the distinction between the metaverse and the VR experience as we highlighted here. A lot of evidence-based studies have been proving the use of VR for medical purposes. But for the same to happen for the metaverse too, we are so far away; and it might not even be worth the effort now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>Written by Dr. Bertalan Meskó & Dr. Pranavsingh Dhunnoo\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":174,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>A lot of evidence-based studies have been proving the use of VR for medical purposes. But can the same happen with the metaverse too? \u003C\u002Fp>\n",40163,{"_acf_changed":20,"footnotes":27},[31,178,179,180,181],504,493,515,799,[183,184,185],7523,7525,637,[],[],[189,44,190,191,192,193],1681,1853,2345,2621,2923,[195,14,47,48,49,50,51,52,196,197,198,199,200,201,202],"post-39957","category-artificial-intelligence","category-augmented-reality","category-science-fiction","category-security-privacy","tag-metaverse","tag-online-healthcare","tag-telehealth",{"id":175,"alt_text":204,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":62,"media_details":205,"post":102,"source_url":221},"Metaverse digital health",{"width":206,"height":207,"file":208,"sizes":209,"image_meta":220},1340,754,"2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small.png",{"medium":210,"large":213,"thumbnail":216,"medium_large":219},{"file":211,"width":70,"height":71,"mime-type":72,"source_url":212},"Metaverse-tmf-small-370x208.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small-370x208.png",{"file":214,"width":76,"height":77,"mime-type":72,"source_url":215},"Metaverse-tmf-small-768x432.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small-768x432.png",{"file":217,"width":81,"height":81,"mime-type":72,"source_url":218},"Metaverse-tmf-small-150x150.png","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small-150x150.png",{"file":214,"width":76,"height":77,"mime-type":72,"source_url":215},{"aperture":90,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":90,"copyright":27,"focal_length":90,"iso":90,"shutter_speed":90,"title":27,"orientation":90},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2022\u002F03\u002FMetaverse-tmf-small.png",{"cta_type":27,"cta_color":27,"subtitle":27,"related_books":223,"related_posts_footer":225,"related_posts":20},[96,224],30419,[226,227,228],13109,13949,15503,{"yoast_wpseo_title":230,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":231,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":168},"How The Metaverse Could (Or Could Not) Transform Healthcare - The Medical Futurist","A lot of evidence-based studies have been proving the use of VR for medical purposes. But can the same happen with the metaverse too?",{"self":233,"collection":238,"about":240,"author":242,"replies":245,"version-history":248,"predecessor-version":251,"wp:featuredmedia":255,"wp:attachment":258,"wp:term":261,"curies":272},[234],{"href":235,"targetHints":236},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F39957",{"allow":237},[112],[239],{"href":115},[241],{"href":118},[243],{"embeddable":26,"href":244},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fusers\u002F16",[246],{"embeddable":26,"href":247},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=39957",[249],{"count":127,"href":250},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F39957\u002Frevisions",[252],{"id":253,"href":254},40807,"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fposts\u002F39957\u002Frevisions\u002F40807",[256],{"embeddable":26,"href":257},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F40163",[259],{"href":260},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=39957",[262,264,266,268,270],{"taxonomy":141,"embeddable":26,"href":263},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcategories?post=39957",{"taxonomy":144,"embeddable":26,"href":265},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftags?post=39957",{"taxonomy":147,"embeddable":26,"href":267},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fproject_category?post=39957",{"taxonomy":150,"embeddable":26,"href":269},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcontact_email_category?post=39957",{"taxonomy":153,"embeddable":26,"href":271},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=39957",[273],{"name":157,"href":158,"templated":26},[275],{"id":98,"date":276,"date_gmt":277,"guid":278,"modified":280,"modified_gmt":281,"slug":282,"status":13,"type":283,"link":284,"title":285,"content":287,"excerpt":289,"author":23,"featured_media":291,"comment_status":25,"ping_status":25,"template":27,"yst_prominent_words":292,"class_list":294,"better_featured_image":297,"acf":317,"yoast_meta":329,"_links":332},"2021-12-02T11:04:38","2021-12-02T10:04:38",{"rendered":279},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002F?post_type=book&p=37033","2025-05-29T13:51:30","2025-05-29T11:51:30","hype-cycle-of-the-top-50-emerging-digital-health-trends","book","https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fbooks\u002Fhype-cycle-of-the-top-50-emerging-digital-health-trends\u002F",{"rendered":286},"The Technology Adoption Curve Of The Top 50 Emerging Digital Health Trends",{"rendered":288,"protected":20},"\n\u003Cp>This is the first time we publish The Medical Futurist’s Technology Adoption Curve, showing 50 of the most promising digital health technologies the way we, at The Medical Futurist, see them today. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"rendered":290,"protected":20},"\u003Cp>This is the first time we publish The Medical Futurist’s Technology Adoption Curve, showing 50 of the most promising digital health technologies the way we, […]\u003C\u002Fp>\n",49955,[293],1723,[295,283,296,48,50,51],"post-37033","type-book",{"id":291,"alt_text":27,"caption":27,"description":27,"media_type":62,"media_details":298,"post":98,"source_url":316},{"width":299,"height":300,"file":301,"filesize":302,"sizes":303,"image_meta":314},320,414,"2021\u002F12\u002Fhype-cycle.png",79823,{"medium":304,"thumbnail":309},{"file":305,"width":299,"height":306,"mime-type":72,"filesize":307,"source_url":308},"hype-cycle-320x208.png",208,35531,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F12\u002Fhype-cycle-320x208.png",{"file":310,"width":311,"height":311,"mime-type":72,"filesize":312,"source_url":313},"hype-cycle-150x150.png",150,20118,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F12\u002Fhype-cycle-150x150.png",{"aperture":90,"credit":27,"camera":27,"caption":27,"created_timestamp":90,"copyright":27,"focal_length":90,"iso":90,"shutter_speed":90,"title":27,"orientation":90,"keywords":315},[],"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F12\u002Fhype-cycle.png",{"buy_button_text":318,"leanpub_url":319,"preview":320},"Buy it on Leanpub","https:\u002F\u002Fleanpub.com\u002Ftechadoptioncurve-2025",[321,323,325,327],{"image":322},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F12\u002FTAC-Cover.png",{"image":324},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F12\u002F0427_hype_cycle_carousel.png",{"image":326},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F12\u002F0427_hype_cycle_carousel-02.png",{"image":328},"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2021\u002F12\u002F0427_hype_cycle_carousel-03.png",{"yoast_wpseo_title":330,"yoast_wpseo_metadesc":331,"yoast_wpseo_canonical":284},"The Technology Adoption Curve Of The Top 50 Emerging Digital Health Trends - The Medical Futurist","Digital Health Hype Cycle: The future of healthcare is shaping up in front of our eyes. In this book, we analyze the Top 50 Digital Health Trends.",{"self":333,"collection":338,"about":341,"author":344,"replies":346,"wp:featuredmedia":349,"wp:attachment":352,"wp:term":355,"curies":358},[334],{"href":335,"targetHints":336},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fbook\u002F37033",{"allow":337},[112],[339],{"href":340},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fbook",[342],{"href":343},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Ftypes\u002Fbook",[345],{"embeddable":26,"href":121},[347],{"embeddable":26,"href":348},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fcomments?post=37033",[350],{"embeddable":26,"href":351},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia\u002F49955",[353],{"href":354},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fmedia?parent=37033",[356],{"taxonomy":153,"embeddable":26,"href":357},"https:\u002F\u002Fapi.medicalfuturist.com\u002Fwp-json\u002Fwp\u002Fv2\u002Fyst_prominent_words?post=37033",[359],{"name":157,"href":158,"templated":26},1789727360500]