Some of the most common surgical operations done in the United States include the

following:

 Appendectomy. An appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix, a

small tube that branches off the large intestine, to treat acute appendicitis.
Appendicitis is the acute inflammation of this tube due to infection.
 Breast biopsy. A biopsy is a diagnostic test involving the removal of tissue or
cells for examination under a microscope. This procedure is also used to remove
abnormal breast tissue. A biopsy may be done using a hollow needle to extract
tissue (needle biopsy), or a lump may be partially or completely removed
(lumpectomy) for examination and/or treatment.
 Carotid endarterectomy. Carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure to
remove blockage from carotid arteries, the arteries located in the neck that
supply blood to the brain. Left untreated, a blocked carotid artery can lead to a
stroke.
 Cataract surgery. Cataracts cloud the normally clear lens of the eyes. Cataract
surgery involves the removal of the cloudy lens, which is replaced with a clear
artificial lens implant.
 Cesarean section (also called a c-section). Cesarean section is the
surgical delivery of a baby by an incision through the mother's abdomen and
uterus. This procedure is done when doctors determine it a safer alternative than
a vaginal delivery for the mother, baby, or both.
 Cholecystectomy. A cholecystectomy is surgery to remove the gallbladder (a
pear-shaped sac near the right lobe of the liver that holds bile). A gallbladder
may need to be removed if the organ is prone to troublesome gallstones, if it is
infected, or becomes cancerous.
 Coronary artery bypass. Most commonly referred to as simply "bypass
surgery," this surgery is often done in people who have angina (chest pain) and
coronary artery disease (where plaque has built up in the arteries). During the
surgery, a bypass is created by grafting a piece of a vein above and below the
blocked area of a coronary artery, enabling blood to flow around the obstruction.
Veins are usually taken from the leg, but arteries from the chest may also be
used to create a bypass graft.
 Debridement of wound, burn, or infection. Debridement involves the
surgical removal of foreign material and/or dead, damaged, or infected tissue
from a wound or burn. By removing the diseased or dead tissue, healthy tissue is
exposed to allow for more effective healing.
 Dilation and curettage (also called D & C). A D&C is a minor operation in
which the cervix is dilated (expanded) so that the cervical canal and uterine lining
can be scraped with a curette (spoon-shaped instrument).
 Free skin graft. A skin graft involves detaching healthy skin from one part of
the body to repair areas of lost or damaged skin in another part of the body. Skin
 grafts are often done as a result of burns, injury, or surgical removal of diseased
skin. They are most often done when the area is too large to be repaired by
stitching or natural healing.
 Hemorrhoidectomy. A hemorrhoidectomy is the surgical removal of
hemorrhoids, distended veins in the lower rectum or anus.
 Hysterectomy. A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of a woman's uterus.
This may be done laparoscopically through an abdominal incision or vaginally.
The ovaries may be removed at the same time.
 Hysteroscopy. Hysteroscopy is a surgical procedure used to help diagnose
and treat many uterine disorders. The hysteroscope (a viewing instrument
inserted through the vagina for a visual exam of the canal of the cervix and the
interior of the uterus) can transmit an image of the uterine canal and cavity to a
television screen.
 Inguinal hernia repair. Inguinal hernias are when the small intestine bulges
through a weak area in the lower abdominal muscles. An inguinal hernia occurs
in the groin. Surgical repair pulls the intestine back to its original location.
 Low back pain surgery. Low back pain can have various causes, including
abnormal development of the backbone, stress on the back, injury, or a physical
disorder that affects the bones of the spine. Usually, surgery is not considered
until other options have been exhausted, including rest, medication, and mild
exercise. The type of surgery done on the back depends on the diagnosis.
 Mastectomy. A mastectomy is the removal of all or part of the breast.
Mastectomies are usually done to treat breast cancer. There are several types of
mastectomies, including the following:
o Partial (segmental) mastectomy, involves the removal of the
breast cancer and a larger portion of the normal breast tissue
around the breast cancer.
o Total (or simple) mastectomy, in which the surgeon removes the
entire breast, including the nipple, the areola (the colored, circular
area around the nipple), and most of the overlying skin, and may
also remove some of the lymph nodes under the arm, also called the
axillary lymph glands.
o Modified radical mastectomy, in which the surgeon removes the
entire breast (including the nipple, the areola, and the overlying
skin), some of the lymph nodes under the arm, and the lining over
the chest muscles. In some cases, part of the chest wall muscles is
also removed.
 Partial colectomy. A partial colectomy is the removal of part of the large
intestine (colon) which may be done to treat cancer of the colon  or inflammatory
conditions such as ulcerative colitis or diverticulitis.
 Prostatectomy. The surgical removal of all or part of the prostate gland, the
sex gland in men that surrounds the neck of the bladder and urethra--the tube
that carries urine away from the bladder. A prostatectomy may be done for an
enlarged prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or if the prostate gland is
cancerous.
  Tonsillectomy. The surgical removal of one or both tonsils. Tonsils are located
at the back of the mouth and help fight infections
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/common-surgical-procedures

The 10 most dangerous diseases in

today's society
Share:
This is an automatically translated article.

Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Department of

Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

When people think of the most dangerous diseases in the world, they immediately think of
incurable, fast-acting diseases. But in fact, many of these diseases are not in the top 10
causes of death worldwide. An estimated 56.4 million people died worldwide in 2015, and
68% of them were due to slowly progressing diseases.
Perhaps even more surprising is that some of the deadliest diseases are partially
preventable. Factors that cannot be prevented include where a person lives, access to
preventive care, and quality of health care. All of these factors into risk. But there are still
steps people can take to reduce their risk. Read on to see the top 10 diseases that cause
the most deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
1. Ischemic heart disease, or coronary artery
disease
The deadliest disease in the world is coronary artery disease (CAD). Also known as
ischemic heart disease, CAD occurs when the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart
become narrowed. Untreated CAD can lead to chest pain, heart failure, and arrhythmias.
Impact of CAD worldwide. Although it is the leading cause of death, mortality has decreased
in many European countries and in the United States. This could be due to public health
education, access to healthcare and better forms of prevention. However, in many
developing countries, death rates from CAD are increasing. Increasing life expectancy,
socioeconomic change, and lifestyle risk factors play a role in this increase.
Risk factors for CAD include:
High blood pressure High cholesterol Smoking Family history of CAD Diabetes Being
overweight Talk to your doctor if you have one or more of these risk factors. You can
prevent CAD with medication and by maintaining good heart health. Some steps you can
take to reduce your risk include:
Exercise regularly Maintain a healthy weight Eat a balanced diet that is low in sodium and
high in fruits and vegetables Avoid smoking Drink only moderation
2. Stroke
A stroke occurs when an artery in the brain becomes blocked or leaks. This causes brain
cells that are starved of oxygen to begin to die within minutes. During a stroke, you feel
suddenly numb and confused or have trouble walking and seeing. If left untreated, a stroke
can cause long-term disability. Risk factors for stroke include:
High blood pressure Family history of stroke Smoking, especially when combined with birth
control pills Being African American Being female Some stroke risk factors are can be
minimized with preventive care, medications, and lifestyle changes. In general, healthy
habits can reduce the risk of disease.

Các bệnh liên quan đến tim mạch có nguy cơ tử vong cao nhất hiện nay
3. Lower respiratory tract infections
Lower respiratory tract infection is an infection in the airways and lungs. Illnesses can be
caused by:
Influenza, or flu, Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Tuberculosis, Viruses commonly cause lower
respiratory tract infections. They can also be caused by bacteria. Cough is the main
symptom of a lower respiratory tract infection. You may experience shortness of breath,
wheezing, and a feeling of tightness in your chest. Untreated lower respiratory tract
infections can lead to respiratory failure and death.
Risk factors for lower respiratory tract infections include:
Flu Poor air quality or frequent exposure to lung irritants Smoking Weak immune systems
Crowded child care facilities , which mainly affects infants Asthma HIV One of the best
preventive measures you can take against lower respiratory tract infections is a yearly flu
shot. Wash your hands often with soap and water to avoid spreading bacteria, especially
before touching your face and before eating. Stay home and rest until you feel better if you
have a respiratory infection, as rest improves the healing process.
4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term progressive lung disease that
causes difficulty breathing. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are types of COPD. In 2004,
about 64 million people worldwide were living with COPD. Risk factors for COPD include:
Cigarette smoking or passive smoking Lung irritants such as chemical fumes Family history,
with AATD gene linked to COPD History of respiratory tract infections during childhood
small There is no cure for COPD, but its progression can be slowed with medication. The
best way to prevent COPD is to stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke and other lung
irritants. If you experience any of these symptoms of COPD, getting treatment as soon as
possible increases your outlook.

Bệnh về đường hô hấp cũng là một căn bệnh phổ biến hiện nay
5. Tracheal, bronchial and lung cancer
Respiratory tract cancers include cancers of the trachea, larynx, bronchi and lungs. The
main cause is smoking, inhaling secondhand smoke and toxins from the environment. But
household pollution like fuel and mold also contributes.
A 2015 study reported that respiratory cancers account for about 4 million deaths annually.
In the developing world, researchers predict an 81 to 100 percent increase in respiratory
cancer rates due to pollution and smoking. Many Asian countries, especially India, still use
coal for cooking. Emissions from solid fuels account for 17% of lung cancer deaths in men
and 22% in women.
Cancers of the trachea, bronchus, and lung can affect anyone, but they are more likely to
affect people with a history of smoking or tobacco use. Other risk factors for these cancers
include, family history and exposure to environmental factors, such as diesel fumes.
Aside from avoiding smoke and tobacco products, it is not known if anything else can be
done to prevent lung cancer. However, early detection can improve the condition and
reduce the symptoms of respiratory cancer.
6. Diabetes
Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect the production and use of insulin. In type 1
diabetes, the pancreas cannot produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not
produce enough insulin or the insulin cannot be used effectively. Type 2 diabetes can be
caused by a number of factors, including a poor diet, inactivity, and being overweight.
People in low to middle income countries are more likely to die from complications of
diabetes. Risk factors for diabetes include:
Excess body weight High blood pressure Older age Not exercising regularly Unhealthy diet
Although diabetes is not always possible It's preventable, but you can control the severity of
your symptoms by exercising regularly and maintaining good nutrition. Adding more fiber to
your diet can help control your blood sugar.

Người dân ở các nước có thu nhập thấp đến trung bình có nhiều khả năng tử vong do các
biến chứng của bệnh tiểu đường.
7. Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease that destroys memory and disrupts normal
mental functions. These include typical thinking, reasoning, and behavior.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, 60 to 80% of dementia cases
are in fact Alzheimer's disease. The disease begins by causing mild memory problems,
difficulty recalling information, and memory impairment. However, over time, the disease
progresses and you may no longer remember large periods of time. A 2014 study found that
the number of deaths in the United States from Alzheimer's may be higher than reported.
Risk factors for Alzheimer's include:
Over 65 years of age Family history Inherited disease genes from parents Existing mild
cognitive impairment Down syndrome Unhealthy lifestyle Previous head trauma Separation
out of the community or interact poorly with others for long periods of time There is no way
to prevent Alzheimer's disease. One thing that can be helpful in reducing disease risk is a
heart-healthy diet. A diet high in fruits and vegetables, low in saturated fat from meat and
dairy, and high in good sources of fats like nuts, olive oil and lean fish can help you reduce
your risk of many diseases.
8. Dehydration due to diarrhea
Diarrhea is when you have three or more loose stools in a day. If diarrhea lasts more than a
few days, your body has lost too much water and salt. This causes dehydration, which can
lead to death. Diarrhea is usually caused by an intestinal virus or bacteria that is transmitted
through contaminated food or water. This condition is especially common in developing
countries with poor sanitation.
Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age. About
760,000 children die from diarrheal diseases each year. Risk factors for diarrhea include:
Living in an area with poor sanitation Lack of clean water Malnutrition Weakened immune
system According to UNICEF, the best prevention method is good hygiene practices good
birth. Good hand washing techniques can reduce the incidence of diarrhea by 40%.
Improved water quality and sanitation as well as access to early medical intervention can
also help prevent diarrheal illness.

Tiêu chảy cũng là một bệnh thường gặp và ảnh hưởng tới sức khỏe nếu bệnh kéo dài
9. Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a lung condition caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis,
which is a treatable airborne bacteria, although some strains are resistant to conventional
treatments often. Tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of death among people living
with HIV. About 35% of HIV-related deaths are due to TB.
TB cases have decreased by 1.5% per year since 2000. The goal is to end TB by 2030.
Risk factors and ways to prevent it
Risk factors for TB include:
Diabetes HIV infection Lower body weight Being close to other people with TB Regularly
taking certain medications such as corticosteroids or drugs that suppress the immune
system The best prevention against TB is the bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. If
you think you've been exposed to TB bacteria, you can start a treatment called
chemoprophylaxis to reduce your chances of developing the condition.
10. Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is the result of chronic or long-term scarring and damage to the liver. Damage can
be the result of kidney disease, or conditions such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism. A
healthy liver filters harmful substances out of the blood and brings healthy blood into the
body. When substances damage the liver, scar tissue forms. As more scar tissue forms, the
liver has to work harder to function properly. Eventually, the liver can stop working. Risk
factors for cirrhosis include:
Chronic alcohol use Accumulation of fat around the liver (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)
Chronic viral hepatitis Stay away from behaviors that can lead to liver damage to prevent
cirrhosis. Helps prevent cirrhosis. Long-term alcohol use and abuse is one of the leading
causes of cirrhosis, so avoiding alcohol can help you prevent damage. Likewise, you can
avoid non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
and low in sugar and fat. Finally, the chance of contracting viral hepatitis can be reduced by
using protection during sex and avoiding sharing anything that may have blood stains. This
includes needles, razors, toothbrushes, and more.
One of the good ways to reduce your risk of any medical condition is to maintain a healthy
lifestyle with good nutrition and exercise. Avoid smoking and abusing alcoholic beverages.
In addition, you also need to perform annual health check-ups to detect abnormalities early
so that timely intervention can be initiated.
Vinmec International General Hospital is currently developing a general health checkup
package for all age groups of different customers. With this package, you will be checked by
the doctor on urine, liver function, kidney function, blood pressure measurement, scan,
overall screening... Through the examination results, the doctor will give you some advice.
Best advice on diet, sleep, treatment direction suitable for each person's condition.
The examination process at the hospital is always of a high standard with the support of a
team of specialized doctors and modern equipment.
Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE.
Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings
easily.
The top 10 causes of
death
9 December 2020

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In 2019, the top 10 causes of death accounted for 55% of the 55.4 million deaths
worldwide.

The top global causes of death, in order of total number of lives lost, are associated with
three broad topics: cardiovascular (ischaemic heart disease, stroke), respiratory
(chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lower respiratory infections) and neonatal
conditions – which include birth asphyxia and birth trauma, neonatal sepsis and
infections, and preterm birth complications.

Causes of death can be grouped into three categories: communicable (infectious and
parasitic diseases and maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions), noncommunicable
(chronic) and injuries. 

Leading causes of death globally

At a global level, 7 of the 10 leading causes of deaths in 2019 were noncommunicable
diseases. These seven causes accounted for 44% of all deaths or 80% of the top 10.
However, all noncommunicable diseases together accounted for 74% of deaths globally
in 2019.
The world’s biggest killer is ischaemic heart disease, responsible for 16% of the world’s
total deaths. Since 2000, the largest increase in deaths has been for this disease, rising
by more than 2 million to 8.9 million deaths in 2019. Stroke and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease are the 2nd and 3rd leading causes of death, responsible for
approximately 11% and 6% of total deaths respectively.

Lower respiratory infections remained the world’s most deadly communicable disease,
ranked as the 4th leading cause of death. However, the number of deaths has gone
down substantially: in 2019 it claimed 2.6 million lives, 460 000 fewer than in 2000.
Neonatal conditions are ranked 5th. However, deaths from neonatal conditions are one
of the categories for which the global decrease in deaths in absolute numbers over the
past two decades has been the greatest: these conditions killed 2 million newborns and
young children in 2019, 1.2 million fewer than in 2000.  

Deaths from noncommunicable diseases are on the rise. Trachea, bronchus and lung
cancers deaths have risen from 1.2 million to 1.8 million and are now ranked 6th among
leading causes of death.

In 2019, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia ranked as the 7th leading
cause of death. Women are disproportionately affected. Globally, 65% of deaths from
Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are women.

One of the largest declines in the number of deaths is from diarrhoeal diseases, with
global deaths falling from 2.6 million in 2000 to 1.5 million in 2019. 

Diabetes has entered the top 10 causes of death, following a significant percentage
increase of 70% since 2000. Diabetes is also responsible for the largest rise in male
deaths among the top 10, with an 80% increase since 2000. 

Other diseases which were among the top 10 causes of death in 2000 are no longer on
the list. HIV/AIDS is one of them. Deaths from HIV/AIDS have fallen by 51% during the
last 20 years, moving from the world’s 8th leading cause of death in 2000 to the 19th in
2019.

Kidney diseases have risen from the world’s 13th leading cause of death to the 10th.
Mortality has increased from 813 000 in 2000 to 1.3 million in 2019.

Leading causes of death by income group

The World Bank classifies the world's economies into four income groups – based on
gross national income – low, lower-middle, upper-middle and high.
People living in a low-income country are far more likely to die of a communicable
disease than a noncommunicable disease. Despite the global decline, six of the top 10
causes of death in low-income countries are communicable diseases.

Malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS all remain in the top 10. However, all three are
falling significantly. The biggest decrease among the top 10 deaths in this group has
been for HIV/AIDS, with 59% fewer deaths in 2019 than in 2000, or 161 000 and 395
000 respectively.
Diarrhoeal diseases are more significant as a cause of death in low-income countries:
they rank in the top 5 causes of death for this income category. Nonetheless, diarrhoeal
diseases are decreasing in low-income countries, representing the second biggest
decrease in fatalities among the top 10 (231 000 fewer deaths).

Deaths due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are particularly infrequent in low-
income countries compared to other income groups. It does not appear in the top 10 for
low-income countries yet ranks in the top 5 for all other income groups. 
Lower-middle-income countries have the most disparate top 10 causes of death: five
noncommunicable, four communicable, and one injury. Diabetes is a rising cause of
death in this income group: it has moved from the 15th to 9th leading cause of death
and the number of deaths from this disease has nearly doubled since 2000.

As a top 10 cause of death in this income group, diarrhoeal diseases remain a

significant challenge. However, this category of diseases represents the biggest
decrease in absolute deaths, falling from 1.9 million to 1.1 million between 2000 and
2019. The biggest increase in absolute deaths is from ischaemic heart disease, rising
by more than 1 million to 3.1 million since 2000. HIV/AIDS has seen the biggest
decrease in rank among the previous top 10 causes of death in 2000, moving from 8th
to 15th.
In upper-middle-income countries, there has been a notable rise in deaths from lung
cancer, which have increased by 411 000; more than double the increase in deaths of
all three other income groups combined. In addition, stomach cancer features highly in
upper-middle-income countries compared to the other income groups, remaining the
only group with this disease in the top 10 causes of death.

One of the biggest decreases in terms of absolute number of deaths is for chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, which has fallen by nearly 264 000 to 1.3 million deaths.
However, deaths from ischaemic heart disease have increased by more than 1.2
million, the largest rise in any income group in terms of absolute number of deaths from
this cause. 

There is only one communicable disease (lower respiratory infections) in the top 10
causes of death for upper-middle-income countries. Notably, there has been a 31% fall
in deaths from suicide since 2000 in this income category, decreasing to 234 000
deaths in 2019.

In high-income countries, deaths are increasing for all top 10 diseases except two.
Ischaemic heart disease and stroke are the only causes of death in the top 10 for which
the total numbers have gone down between 2000 and 2019, by 16% (or 327 000
deaths) and by 21% (or 205 000 deaths) respectively. High-income is the only category
of income group in which there have been decreasing numbers of deaths from these
two diseases. Nonetheless ischaemic heart disease and stroke have remained in the
top three causes of death for this income category, with a combined total of over 2.5
million fatalities in 2019. In addition, deaths from hypertensive heart disease are rising.
Reflecting a global trend, this disease has risen from the 18th leading cause of death to
the 9th. 

Deaths due to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias have increased, overtaking
stroke to become the second leading cause in high-income countries, and being
responsible for the deaths of 814 000 people in 2019. And, as with upper-middle-
income countries, only one communicable disease, lower respiratory infections, appears
in the top 10 causes of death. 

Why do we need to know the reasons people die?

It is important to know why people die to improve how people live. Measuring how many
people die each year helps to assess the effectiveness of our health systems and direct
resources to where they are needed most. For example, mortality data can help focus
activities and resource allocation among sectors such as transportation, food and
agriculture, and the environment as well as health.

COVID-19 has highlighted the importance for countries to invest in civil registration and
vital statistics systems to allow daily counting of deaths, and direct prevention and
treatment efforts. It has also revealed inherent fragmentation in data collection systems
in most low-income countries, where policy-makers still do not know with confidence
how many people die and of what causes. 

To address this critical gap, WHO has partnered with global actors to launch Revealing
the Toll of COVID-19: Technical Package for Rapid Mortality Surveillance and Epidemic
Response. By providing the tools and guidance for rapid mortality surveillance,
countries can collect data on total number of deaths by day, week, sex, age and
location, thus enabling health leaders to trigger more timely efforts for improvements to
health.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization develops standards and best practices for
data collection, processing and synthesis through the consolidated and improved
International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) – a digital platform that facilitates
reporting of timely and accurate data for causes of death for countries to routinely
generate and use health information that conforms to international standards.

The routine collection and analysis of high-quality data on deaths and causes of death,
as well as data on disability, disaggregated by age, sex and geographic location, is
essential for improving health and reducing deaths and disability across the world.

Editor’s note  

WHO’s Global Health Estimates, from which the information in this fact sheet is
extracted, present comprehensive and comparable health-related data, including life
expectancy, healthy life expectancy, mortality and morbidity, and burden of diseases at
global, regional and country levels disaggregated by age, sex and cause. The estimates
released in 2020 report on trends for more than 160 diseases and injuries annually from
2000 to 2019. 

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death

How Could the Metaverse Transform

Healthcare?
 Download PDF Copy

By Michael Greenwood, M.Sc.Reviewed by Aimee Molineux

Introduction
What are virtual hospitals?
How could the Metaverse transform data sharing?
How could the Metaverse transform data visualization and training?
How could the Metaverse transform patient therapy?
References
Further reading

The Metaverse is a virtual environment under development by Meta (formerly

Facebook), with numerous potential applications in the healthcare field. Primarily, it is
envisioned that enhanced communication between patients, physicians, and
collaborators could be achieved using such virtual environments, which are in high
demand in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Further potential benefits of the Metaverse include easy and secure data sharing, where
it can be ensured that data ownership is tracked and protected while making it simple
for patients to approve or for doctors to forward patient information. A few potential
applications of virtual environments will be discussed below.

Image Credit: PopTika/Shutterstock

What are virtual hospitals?

Early triage of patients over the phone or at outpatient clinics before a referral is not a
new concept, and such methods are increasingly employed to reduce the burden on
emergency healthcare. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, such methods
have become increasingly important in redirecting non-vital cases away from
emergency rooms and giving health advice remotely, minimizing travel and contact.
Beyond these advantages, the concept of specialized virtual hospitals may have
significantly more to offer if fully embraced. For example, specialized triage centers
staffed by junior doctors and healthcare professionals, overseen by a consultant, would
be able to advise a patient as to whether they should seek treatment at home, visit an
outpatient clinic for further investigation, or go to hospital. These centers could be
staffed by specialists in particular areas of medicine, and therefore be able to easily
collaborate to discuss cases.

Trial centers using mainly the telephone and webcams have shown success in reducing
the emergency care burden during and after the pandemic, and in many locations
where travel restrictions are now lifted, the services are being maintained.

The possibility of utilizing enhanced virtual environments in such virtual hospitals could
be a huge boon to accurate triage, potentially allowing physicians to examine patients in
three dimensions photorealistically, should consumer-grade technology reach this stage
in future. In the nearer term, merely the ability to exchange body language and facial
expressions could be extremely beneficial in allowing improved communication between
remote patients and healthcare professionals.

How could the Metaverse transform data sharing?

Data stored in virtual environments can be shared securely using blockchain
technology, the same technology underpinning various cryptocurrencies that allows
ownership to be tracked and access granted at the click of a button. Currently, the
transfer of patient records between health organizations is frequently a laborious
process involving approval from multiple parties, and even obtaining one’s own records
can be difficult. Blockchain technology could provide patients with control of their own
records and allow them to grant access remotely with ease.
 Related: Is Data at the Center of Healthcare for the Future?

How could the Metaverse transform data visualization and

training?
In many cases, visualization of patient data collected from diagnostic tests and various
imaging scans is useful for physicians when diagnosing and observing the patient's
response to treatment. In the future, data presented in three dimensions in a
manipulatable virtual environment such as the Metaverse may become a valuable tool
available to physicians, allowing the quick assimilation of useful information and useful
clinical decisions to be actioned. Such technologies would also be invaluable in
education and training, potentially allowing trainee healthcare professionals to
experience first-hand surgeries, autopsies, and other medical procedures in a
completely safe environment. The value of such a training tool cannot be understated;
realistic virtual training simulators are already extensively utilized in other fields, such as
aviation.

Further, following the initial investment in software and virtual reality equipment,
significant savings relating to the cost of training cadavers and other consumables could
be made, allowing a higher throughput of trained professionals.
 Image Credit: metamorworks/Shutterstock

How could the Metaverse transform patient therapy?

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administration errors

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healthcare workers worldwide

Virtual environments such as the Metaverse may also play a larger role in patient
therapy in the future for a range of conditions, largely psychological. For example,
various phobias have been treated by exposure to fear, and thus virtual environments
could be used to gently expose patients in a safe environment. Such therapeutic
strategies may also be applied to other disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive
disorder, anxiety, or depression, in tailored virtual experiences. The potential
collaborative power of the Metaverse would also allow therapist- or patient-led support
groups to easily find one another and meet from around the world in a setting more
engaging than a text-based support group.

Image Credit: Asia Images Group/Shutterstock

There a numerous potential beneficial applications for realistic virtual simulations, many
of which are in the early stages of investigation as technology improves to meet the
challenge. For example, haptic sensors that simulate patient movement within the
virtual environment could have applications in movement rehabilitation and easing the
symptoms of Parkinson’s, while distracting virtual reality experiences have shown some
success in replacing pain medications when changing the wound dressings of burn
victims or in easing blood collection from children.

As of 2021, the virtual reality healthcare industry was reportedly valued at around $1.2
billion, estimated to reach almost $12 billion by 2028. Meta has invested billions of
dollars into making the Metaverse a reality within the last year. However, it will be some
time before the healthcare industry sees the full benefit. One major hurdle to adopting
the Metaverse is the need for virtual reality headsets and possibly other haptic
technology, meaning that the average patient is unlikely to possess the required
equipment, particularly the older generations.

References
 Patel, K., Shokouhi, B., Bosonnet, E., Savundra, E., & Kabatas, H. (2019). The Virtual
Hospital. Future Healthcare Journal, 6(Suppl 1), 83–83.
https://doi.org/10.7861/futurehosp.6-1-s83
 Sreelakshmi, M. & Subash, T. D. (2017). Haptic Technology: A comprehensive review on
its applications and future prospects. Materials today: proceedings, 4(2).
 Suzuki, S. et al. (2020). Virtual Experiments in Metaverse and their Applications to
Collaborative Projects: The framework and its significance. Procedia Computer Science,
176, 2125-2132.

Further Reading
 All Healthcare Content
 Role of Real-Time Data in Healthcare
 Healthcare Systems Around the World
 What is the Role of Regulatory Bodies in Healthcare?
 How is the ‘omics’ Revolution Changing Healthcare?

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