Authors: Paris Daniell, Jeff Greene, Andrew Grojean, Jeff MacFarland, Sarah Morgan, Rachel Stelmach, Carly Stillwell
The “nextmakers” of EVERSANA INTOUCH know the Medical Metaverse is changing everything, whether you’re a patient, a provider, a caregiver… or a brand marketer. So we scour the world for the latest on the metaverse in healthcare, and update you regularly on what you need to know.
Today’s topics:
- Healthcare metaverse pioneers continue to emerge
- Healthcare and pharma metaverse prognostication continues – where might the industry be headed?
- VR/AR headsets continue to evolve and have new potential uses
- Elsewhere in the metaverse
Healthcare metaverse pioneers continue to emerge
- Narcotics Anonymous launches in the metaverse (Clio Health) NAVerse says it’s the first Narcotics Anonymous meeting held in the metaverse, and it won a Silver Clio Health award. The metaverse makes a lot of sense for patient support in conditions that may still carry stigma.
- VR technology used to help separate conjoined twins (VR Scout) Surgeons from around the world were able to work together to model the surgery, experiment with surgical techniques, and actually conduct the successful procedure on the three-year-olds.
- SurvivorNet to launch metaverse med ed (MM&M) The organization is offering HCP education in the metaverse in conjunction with large oncology meetings, in order to be more engaging and effective, and to combat Zoom fatigue.
EVERSANA Intouch’s Anindita Banerjee breaks down 5 key pillars of success for DTx marketers in an article on The Emerging World of Prescription Digital Therapeutics. Check it out!
Healthcare and pharma metaverse prognostication continues – where might the industry be headed?
- New realities: Into the metaverse and beyond (Wunderman Thompson Intelligence) Interesting takeways from this report: 74% of people have heard of the metaverse, but only 15% know what it is and can explain it to someone else! Also, those who they know more about it, also feel that the metaverse will become a place that is more inclusive, welcoming, and expressive than the physical world. A hopeful sign. Also of note: Pfizer has been vaccinating avatars in Grand Theft Auto!
- What does the metaverse have in store for the healthcare industry? (PRWeek) Inclusivity throughout healthcare is critical, and this article notes – among quite a few other things that the metaverse offers healthcare – that the metaverse may be a more inclusive space for minority groups to potentially feel less hesitant to seek care.
- Building the future of healthcare in the metaverse (TechRepublic) A new report suggests that telehealth, among other areas, will benefit the earliest from the metaverse. One potential use case discussed is war veterans with PTSD.
VR/AR headsets continue to evolve and have new potential uses
- NuEyes and Samsung creating an AR solution for healthcare (VR Scout) The smartglasses and the mobile phone work together for use cases that they suggest could include ultrasound imaging, remote medicine, emergency medicine, or medical training.
- Meta Quest 2 Pro (Project Cambria) (Laptop Mag) (cf TechCrunch) Meta says their new VR headset will be launching in October at their Connect conference, and hinted that it may give users the ability to see multiple screens while still being able to see your actual surroundings, among other features. We’re hoping technical improvements like these may help the VR/AR experience become easier to use, better at communicating empathy, and more.
Elsewhere in the metaverse…
- VR still stinks because it doesn’t smell (Wired) “Inserting smells into VR can distract, overwhelm, or repulse. But used sparingly and designed to fit the right context and coordinated with other senses, playing with smell – even distorting it – can render a strange world more human …”
- How a fashion designer creates clothes for our digital selves (NPR) Tribute Brand is the world’s first direct-to-consumer digital fashion brand. You can’t wear the items in person, but for those who want to look good on social media or the metaverse, that doesn’t really matter.
- Stadium-size AR games could transform live sports (VR Scout) Fan-engagement platform Around lets attendees use their smartphones to engage in experiences layered over real-world environments. We can see this being helpful to a patient searching a hospital for their new specialist, for instance – or consider an airport or park with AR information about the best places to find a restroom or healthy meals …
- Starbucks to unveil its web3-based rewards program (TechCrunch) It’s an NFT initiative that builds on the brand’s highly successful app and rewards program, promising owners access to “exclusive content” (though we’d prefer free Frappuccinos®).
Stay tuned for our Meta Connect recap of all that’s newsworthy and relevant after the conference in October!