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HEALTHCARE REAL ESTATE

Metaverse, Medicine, and the

Future of Healthcare Design

Those of us who listen to reality can stimulate and
conversations about the enhance any physical thera-
Metaverse and how people py session by curating
are buying houses, art, or unique and interesting envi-
John Lennon’s guitar in the ronments for people to
virtual world often think experience while in therapy.
“what in the world are peo- Instead of a skilled nursing
ple doing to waste their time hallway, a patient using VR
on this?” Beyond the quirki- goggles will be walking a
ness, this is an example of city street or a path in the
the transformational change Amazon. Occupational ther-
where we will interact apy will create the appropri-
through virtual reality. And BY CHARLES A. ate environment without the
alists
no doubt, some of the most MICHELSON, AIA, need to “physically” con- Pediatric Specia
groundbreaking changes ACHA, LEED AP struct the space.
will occur in medicine. Mental health and virtual
me
You are certainly familiar reality is another incredible Close to Hom
with telemedicine. But telemedicine is medical opportunity to enhance treat-
checkers compared to 3-dimensional ment. Many virtual opportunities exist.
chess when comparing telemedicine to the What if anxiety and fear-related disorders Whether you’re in Naples, Miami or W est Palm

We
m Beach —
metaverse. The metaverse applied to med- could be treated more effectively by plac-

hi i

icine is a simulated digital environment ing the patient and therapist in the virtual or somewhere in between — KIDZ Medical physicians
that uses augmented reality along with world to allow patients to regain control are nearby We
y.. W
e are a physician-owned pediaatric multi-
blockchain technology and concepts from over the stressful situations through safe
social media to create an environment for reengagement? specialty practice offering state-of-the-art caare throughout
user interaction mimicking the ideal Bringing the conversation back to archi- South Florida.

world. tecture, by virtue of this technology, how
The technological requirements of digi- do we reimagine our medical facilities
tal information transfer can be discussed design in the next decade, and where? We
in another forum. However, from a med- are speaking about decentralized health-
ical perspective, everything from mental care anywhere and at any time; from pri-
health, chronic pain, dentistry, personal- mary care to significantly chronic treat-
ized health, physical therapy, oncology, ments. Separate from what will be occur-
etc., will eventually be treated in augment- ring in healthcare facilities, there will be
ed reality, remotely. The use of wearable many medical options where using virtual
technology, sensors, artificial intelligence reality will enable a patient to remain at
(AI), and biometric feedback will become home.
the norm in the not-too-distant future for In addition, community medical build-
medical treatment. It can be a win-win for ings will eventually include virtual reality
healthcare systems and the public. spaces — open rooms where patients wear
Technology and artificial intelligence can goggles and move around, not much dif-
allow healthcare systems to do more with ferent from a gaming facility.
less, less budget and healthcare workers. The ability to bring quality healthcare to
Virtual reality will expand access, interac- a patient and provide the appropriate
tion and patient engagement. The treat- healthcare to rural and underserved com-
ments provided can be more accurate and munities through technology is an excit-
personalized while eventually lowering ing medical future just on the horizon.
overhead costs and improve ROI’s.
Virtual reality will allow surgeons to see Charles Michelson is President of Saltz
inside a patient and practice a procedure Michelson Architects. For more information,
before even touching that patient. Virtual visit www.saltzmichelson.com.
K K K K K I I I I I Z Z Z Z Z
M
Medicall
Providing care to infants, c d l i h e re r n
and moms since 1988
Boca Raton • W est Palm Beach • Port St. Lucie • Hollywood
We
Miramar • Doral • Miami • South Miami • Kendall • Homestead
Naples • Bonita Springs

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com September 2022 17