Digital Twin Technology: Future of Patient Healthcare

The healthcare industry is known for rapidly adopting advanced technologies that offer improved treatment for various diseases. Consequently, digital twin technology in healthcare has gained popularity during the past few years, owing to the range of advantages it offers.

Digital twin technology in healthcare refers to a virtual model of a patient’s physical health that can be used to understand the potential effects of various treatments and interventions on that patient’s health. Data from different sources, including wearable devices; electronic health records; and data from MRI, PET scans, and CT scans, can be integrated in a patient’s digital twin to offer a more inclusive view of their health. This can assist healthcare professionals to understand, monitor, and manage patients’ health more effectively.

Healthcare providers across the globe use digital twin technology to optimize treatment plans and minimize the risk of adverse events. Advantages of this technology include not only improved patient outcomes but also reduced operational costs. Moreover, companies from pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing industries are focusing on digital twin technology to improve the efficiency of drug and other product development.

Supply chain, research, drug development, clinical operations, patient monitoring, and clinical trials are some of the key applications of digital twin technology in healthcare. The technology has gained traction in the past few years. According to a report by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the digital twin in healthcare market is expected to advance at a compound annual growth rate of 25.1 percent during the forecast period of 2022 to 2031 and reach a value of over $5.3 billion by 2031.

The value for patients

A combination of remote patient monitoring and telehealth technology can work well for patients who require consistent monitoring for specific health disorders. A digital twin model provides an effective visual representation of a patient who uses remote monitoring and telemedicine services. This information can assist healthcare professionals in tracking patient health data in real time and delivering personalized treatment and suggestions for their healthcare.

An increase in the prevalence of diabetes across the globe, specifically in developed and emerging economies, emphasizes the need for advanced technologies, such as digital twins, to manage the disease effectively. For diabetics, a digital twin could help track medication consumption, blood sugar levels, and other key health indicators. These data could help doctors provide recommendations on exercise, food, and other lifestyle changes for better management of diabetes.

Data analytics and machine learning

Machine learning and data analytics in the healthcare industry can assist healthcare professionals to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare, as these technologies allow the interpretation and analysis of massive amounts of data to discover trends, insights, and patterns that can’t be easily detected by humans. Digital twins or virtual models can help healthcare facilities more efficiently manage issues related to staff schedules, bed shortages, and operating rooms.

Looking to the future, companies are focusing on R&D activities to discover other possible uses of this technology. A case in point is the December 2022 announcement by Dassault Systèmes. The company stated that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ecole Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay. Through this agreement, both organizations will focus on innovation by advancing the understanding of how to use virtual twins in research and academics.

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