Applications of metaverse for improving healthcare at sea

The provision of adequate healthcare on board ships has always represented a challenge for medicine. In general, ships are at sea for days or weeks before they can reach a port and with the only exception of some large passenger or cruise ships, they do not carry health professionals on board. The maritime healthcare sector has expanded more quickly as a result of the quickening pace of digitalisation and automation, which has led to the creation of new models and new opportunities for seafarers’ treatment provision at reduced costs. By enabling both onboard patients and medical personnel to have lifelike experiences, a new digital technology known as the metaverse has relevant potential for the healthcare of seafarers.