What I Learned Today: Digital Twins in Healthcare
Is there a way to see into the future? A way to see all possible outcomes from choices made today? It would be like taking a step out of our timeline and observing divergent timelines created by different decisions, actions, or technologies adopted. I kind of wish I was talking about time travel but, alas, no such luck. What I am referencing is the concept and use of digital twins.
According to Top Trending Topics (May 2024) (explodingtopics.com), “digital twins are virtual, 3D duplicates of real-world assets that can be tracked and manipulated through software.” The digital twin virtual models use information from the real world to simulate how the twin in reality would behave by applying changes to the digital twin first. This way, trial and error can be worked out before making changes in the real world. Of course, this is an oversimplification, but the point is made.
Digital twins are in use by a diverse group of industries. A short list includes Data Integration and Analysis, Applications in Manufacturing, Construction and Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities, Smart Cities and Urban Planning, Automotive and Aerospace, Enhanced Predictive Maintenance, and the Healthcare Industry. The healthcare industry is what we will explore in more detail.
I have a background in trauma care and spent twenty years in the army as a combat medic. Every year I was fascinated by medical technological advancements, but I never heard of digital twins. I’ve gained a basic understanding of the concept recently while reading the article, Digital Twins in Healthcare: Is It the Beginning of a New Era of Evidence-Based Medicine? A Critical Review (PMC, nih.gov).
The overall concept of digital twins in healthcare is the ability to recreate a digital twin of a patient, anatomical structures, or hospital environments. For our purposes, we will lump patients and anatomical structures together. Let’s review this first.
Even though the practice of medicine is a science, a lot of trial and error occurs when treating a patient. In the utilization of a digital twin, a healthcare provider will have the ability to simulate the impact of treatments on the digital twin first and observe the results, allowing them to make more informed decisions. Patient outcomes will improve and risks for the real patient will be reduced. A digital twin in the healthcare setting will allow for precision medicine, personalized treatment, and support for medical decision-making.
Not only will healthcare improve for patients, but medical devices will see a positive impact. Digital twins in this setting will be used for predictive maintenance and performance optimization. Technicians will be able to monitor digital twins in real-time and simulate potential failures. Equipment downtime will be reduced and equipment lifespan will be extended.
The use of digital twins in the healthcare setting will also have an impact on hospital management and operations. A digital twin of the hospital will be able to optimize patient pathways, staff schedules, and resource allocation. Patient services, safety, and operational efficiency will see a positive impact. Improvement in these areas is critical as hospitals see an increase in clinical complexity and patient demand.
A revolution in medical care is on the horizon because of advancements in technology. Digital twins in the healthcare setting give us a glimpse into the future. We will see advancements in personalized medicine, improved clinical trial efficiency, enhanced hospital management, and optimized experiences for patients. Dare I say the future is here.
