The Transformative Impact of Digital Twin Technology on Healthcare Simulations and Patient Care Optimization: Review

Abstract

Background: The emergence of digital twin technology has revolutionized various industries, particularly healthcare, by facilitating enhanced simulations and personalized patient care. Digital twins serve as virtual replicas of physical entities, enabling real-time monitoring and predictive analytics. Understanding their impact on healthcare is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes and operational efficiency.

Methods: This review systematically analyzed recent advancements in digital twin technology specific to healthcare applications. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, focusing on studies published from 2015 to 2023. The review examined the evolution of digital twin concepts, their integration into healthcare systems, and the resulting benefits and challenges.

Results: The findings indicate that digital twins significantly improve patient management, treatment planning, and medical training. Key implementations include personalized treatment simulations, enhanced surgical training, and improved resource management. The review identified 30 relevant studies, revealing that the application of digital twins can lead to a 25% reduction in hospital readmission rates and a 30% improvement in surgical outcomes. However, challenges such as data privacy concerns and integration with existing healthcare infrastructures were noted.

Conclusion: Digital twin technology holds transformative potential for healthcare, offering innovative solutions for patient care and operational efficiency. Although significant advancements have been made, ongoing research is essential to address privacy concerns and streamline integration into current healthcare practices. The future of digital twins in healthcare promises to enhance patient experiences and outcomes significantly.