The Use of Metaverse in the Health-care System: A Scoping Review Article

Abstract

The metaverse functions as a spatial computing platform that integrates both the physical and virtual realms, enabling individuals to engage with holographic elements within an environment facilitated by advanced technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality, mixed reality, high-speed Internet, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. These technologies are further empowered by an abundance of data. The recent evolution of the metaverse into a social network and recreational space holds the potential to significantly impact clinical practices and healthcare. In the foreseeable future, the metaverse may play a role in promoting health, particularly given the increasing screen time among various demographics, notably children and teenagers. This research delves into the existing literature on the metaverse within the health-care system, employing the Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Reviews methodology to define the study’s scope. A total of 989 articles were initially retrieved from electronic databases such as Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. After applying the eligibility criteria, 30 articles were included, reviewed, and analyzed. The findings reveal a limited volume of literature considering the vastness of the health-care system. The majority of published articles consist of reports, letters, and case studies exploring the metaverse’s impact on healthcare, with only a few studies utilizing metaverse technology to address specific health-care issues.

Keywords

• augmented reality
• education technology
• health-care system
• metaverse
• virtual reality