A framework for equitable virtual rehabilitation in the metaverse era: challenges and opportunities

Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences

Rehabilitation Sciences

Joyla Furlano¹  Mirella Veras²  David Zakus³  Derek Rutherford⁴  Barry Pendergast⁵  Dahlia Kairy⁶  David R. Labbé⁷ 

[1] Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health, Global Brain Health Institute, Dublin, Ireland;Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal métropolitain (CRIR), Montreal, QC, Canada;Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada;School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada;The AGE-WELL Metaverse Working Group, Toronto, ON, Canada;École de réadaptation, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada;École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), Université du Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada;

关键词: metaverse;    rehabilitation;    framework;    digital health;    physiotherapy;    occupational therapy;    virtual reality;    telerehabilitation;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fresc.2023.1241020

 received in 2023-06-15, accepted in 2023-08-11,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

IntroductionMetaverse technology is spurring a transformation in healthcare and has the potential to cause a disruptive shift in rehabilitation interventions. The technology will surely be a promising field offering new resources to improve clinical outcomes, compliance, sustainability, and patients' interest in rehabilitation. Despite the growing interest in technologies for rehabilitation, various barriers to using digital services may continue to perpetuate a digital divide. This article proposes a framework with five domains and elements to consider when designing and implementing Metaverse-based rehabilitation services to reduce potential inequalities and provide best patient care.MethodsThe framework was developed in two phases and was informed by previous frameworks in digital health, the Metaverse, and health equity. The main elements were extracted and synthesized via consultation with an interdisciplinary team, including a knowledge user.ResultsThe proposed framework discusses equity issues relevant to assessing progress in moving toward and implementing the Metaverse in rehabilitation services. The five domains of the framework were identified as equity, health services integration, interoperability, global governance, and humanization.DiscussionThis article is a call for all rehabilitation professionals, along with other important stakeholders, to engage in developing an equitable, decentralized, and sustainable Metaverse service and not just be a spectator as it develops. Challenges and opportunities and their implications for future directions are highlighted.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
© 2023 Veras, Labbé, Furlano, Zakus, Rutherford, Pendergast and Kairy.