The Metaverse for Health

The "Enter the Mediverse" event (Bologna, Feb. 23) organised in collaboration with the Fondazione Golinelli and project partners Simm, Simmed, Meta, and Engineering, explored the revolutionary potential of the Metaverse for healthcare [also see news: The Metaverse for Healthcare]. From virtual hospitals to immersive training, the meeting focused on the new horizons for medical training and therapy. The event was moderated by Cecilia Stajano, Community Manager at the Fondazione Mondo Digitale. The report was prepared by Domenica Cesena, Digital Civil Service Volunteer, with the supervision of Onelia Onorati.

WELCOME ADDRESS

• Antonio Daniele, Vice President and Director General of the Golinelli Foundation - I have the pleasure of presenting the Golinelli Foundation’s innovative model which embraces higher education, research, and technological development. We have therefore decided to broaden the Foundation's operational model by creating a division dedicated to research and development on AI, as well as virtual and augmented reality. A concrete step that resulted in the development of "Golinelli LiVE," a cutting-edge educational platform that brings science directly into Italian schools, immersing students in an engaging and interactive learning experience, and opening new frontiers to teaching. 
• Alfonso Molina, Scientific Director, Fondazione Mondo Digitale - 
  We have been collaborating with the Golinelli Foundation for some time, as we are united by a common vision of the future. It’s a synergy based on mutual esteem and appreciation for the impact that both organisations have and will continue to have on the panorama of technological innovation. Together, we also cooperate on the Metaverse, a revolutionary technology with the potential to radically transform several sectors, including education and healthcare. It is now clear that a traditional educational approach is no longer sufficient. The challenge is to integrate new skills, such as life skills and digital knowledge, without losing sight of the importance of values, which represent the fundamental compass to build a better world.
• Costanza Andreini, Public Policy Manager Italy, Meta - Two years ago, the idea of the Metaverse generated great attention, curiosity, and caution. In recent years, however, considerable progress has been achieved in terms of development and communication, which we can also see from the speeches we have had the pleasure to listen to today. All this makes us understand that we are already inside the Metaverse and that the Metaverse is not another dimension to be afraid of, but rather a reality that must be accompanied and above all understood.
• Ennio Tasciotti, Director Human Longevity Programme, IRCCS San Raffaele (in videoconference) - I worked for fifteen years, in the United States, in a hospital at the forefront of the development of surgical planning technology. In that context, for example, the Metaverse could have facilitated and speeded up the implementation of innovation. It is therefore extremely important to involve doctors and healthcare professionals in the development of immersive technology for patient care because only sector professionals can fully understand the clinical needs and challenges and, consequently, identify the most effective solutions. The metaverse has the potential to transform patient care, not only as an extension of traditional medicine, but also as a tool for creating new immersive therapies, both in therapeutic and rehabilitation settings. I invite the entire medical community to collaborate on the development of guidelines and regulations for the safe and responsible use of these technologies.

INTRODUCTORY SESSION

• Luca Greci, Technical Manager, Engineering - The concept of the Metaverse originated from a science fiction novel in 1992 and returned to prominence in 2021 with Facebook's name change to Meta. It is a constantly evolving concept, which today represents a set of converging forms of technology capable of improving life in various aspects, including collaborative and social ones. In this context, Engineering is exploring the use of Metaverse technology to improve work processes and overcome individual limitations with XR PATHOLOGY, an application developed to optimize the workflow of nanopathologists and with Sun - Social and Human Centered XR, a research project that will allow people with reduced motor and communication skills to experience the sociality that their clinical condition denies them. 

EXPERIENTIAL SESSION

• Tommaso Santaniello, CEO Huvant, and Giampaolo Melli,  Huvant Advisor, present Huvan - conceived following a research project funded by the Lombardy Region (Printmed-3D), Huvant aims to develop 3D and virtual reality technology for support in the surgical field. The project allowed us to understand critical issues related to the transmission of knowledge in the medical-surgical field, which today still takes place in an artisanal way and directly on the patient. In light of these critical issues, we offer high-tech solutions for the training of healthcare workers, and in particular medical specialists. The goal is to allow them to practice in a safe and realistic environment, without putting patients at risk. To achieve this goal, we have developed a simulation platform that faithfully reproduces operating scenarios, offers an immersive and interactive experience, monitors performance, and provides personalized feedback.
• Francesco Cavallo, Head of VR Division, Fondazione Golinelli and Alessandro Saracino, Programme Manager, Didactic and Technological Innovation, Fondazione Golinelli present Golinelli LiVE - The need to bring technology into labs arose during the Covid-19 pandemic, when schools were closed. We therefore promptly grasped the opportunity to develop Golinelli Live Virtual Experience: a simulation and training product designed to bring labs everywhere, providing students with immersive and interactive experiences promoting experiential learning and integrating traditional teaching with new technologies. This platform is therefore innovating scientific education, making learning more effective and engaging.

BRAINSTORMING SESSION

• Martina Chierichini, School, Training, and Specific Projects Coordinator, Avis Emilia-Romagna - In our context, the Metaverse is still an unexplored reality, but I'm really excited about what I was able to experience today. I find it extremely interesting how this technology can be applied in schools as well as the medical-health sector.
• Federica Pellegrino, Senior Legal Counsel and DigiHealth Legal Manager, Chiesi Group - I have been working on digital therapies for years and the advent of the Metaverse represents a new frontier in the field of medical and healthcare training which is also arriving in our US branch. Today's experience confirmed the concrete nature of this technology, notwithstanding the many barriers that especially hinder its diffusion. 
• Paolo Pandolfi, Medical Director, Bologna USL - We are very interested in the training opportunity for young people and especially citizens. For this reason, we shared the idea of creating a training laboratory for citizenship focused on crucial issues such as environmental ones with the Golinelli Foundation.
• Alessandro Gallo, General Manager and Sales Director, Springer Healthcare Italia -  In the past, we have attempted to develop oncology training projects for young people, using our editorial content and immersive technologies such as holograms and viewers. However, we encountered several difficulties. The main reason is that these tools are unknown to most in the medical profession. We can have the most advanced technologies on the planet, but if there are no people adequately trained and aware of their correct use, progress will be in vain.

CONCLUSIONS

The Metaverse represents a horizon full of revolutionary prospects for our society. However, to fully grasp its potential, it is essential to join forces and work together to build a digital future that is fair, inclusive, and accessible to all. Only open and constructive dialogue will allow us to identify the most promising applications of the Metaverse and develop concrete solutions that respond to the real needs of the community.