A Preliminary Study on Physicians and Medical Staff of New Technologies in Healthcare: A Focus on Metaverse Barriers and Opportunities

This study investigates the perceptions of medical staff - and specifically physicians - regarding new technologies in healthcare, with a specific focus on the metaverse. Indeed, the current allure of the metaverse lies in its profound potential to enhance societal well-being, particularly within the realm of healthcare, necessitating a rigorous and comprehensive investigation to discern and harness its multifaceted opportunities for transformative impact. By leveraging on a qualitative research design, the study employed semi-structured interviews featuring both open-ended questions and preliminary fairy tales, its sheds light key aspects: 1) the metaverse’s pivotal role in catalyzing the transformation of healthcare services, 2) barriers associated with the metaverse’s impact on doctor-patient relationships, and 3) the cultivation of novel digital skills and competences intertwined with metaverse integration. Findings thus clarify the transformative potential of the metaverse in reshaping healthcare paradigms, emphasizing the necessity for a balanced approach that addresses barriers to interpersonal relationships while navigating the evolving landscape of digital competencies. This research contributes insights to the discourse on technology’s role in healthcare, advocating for a comprehensive understanding of the metaverse’s implications on both service delivery and the interpersonal dynamics essential to effective healthcare provision.