Abstract

Objectives: Understand the potential implications of the metaverse on dermatology Introduction: The metaverse, a computer-generated reality, has rapidly entered the mainstream. As virtual healthcare is now a part of everyday clinical life amongst digitally native populations, we explore how this may impact the future of dermatology. Materials / method: To investigate this topic, we conducted a literature review on technologies impacting dermatology. We then created a simulated metaverse experience to showcase potential applications. Results: Our research suggests artificial intelligence (AI) is at the core of future developments, with convolutional neural networks (CNNs) dramatically enhancing diagnostic capabilities. Building on this foundation of AI, we expect virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) technologies to play significant roles moving forward. Thus far, the majority of metaverse related research has focused on medical education, surgical procedure training and patient engagement. Immersive technologies have the potential to enhance future dermatology consultations in a variety of ways. Conclusion: The health metaverse could enable more immersive clinical interactions, potentially altering the traditional medical consultation model. As dermatology is predominantly a visual speciality, the metaverse has significant promise. However, to ensure accessibility, equity and inclusion, significant research is required to evaluate metaverse centric technology prior to implementation.