Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Mar 1, 2022
Date Accepted: Jul 28, 2022
Digital twins for healthcare systems' management: a rapid literature review
ABSTRACT
Background:
Even though most of the health care based digital twins’ (DT) applications have been emerging in precision medicine, it also has great potential to support overall healthcare process. Digital twins (systems, processes, products twinning) can be used to optimize flows, improve performance, improve health outcomes, and improve patients, doctors, and other stakeholders’ experiences with minimal risk.
Objective:
The objective of this paper is to review applications of digital twinned systems, products, and processes, to analyze the potential these applications hold in improving healthcare systems management and the challenges that are facing this emerging technology.
Methods:
We performed a rapid review of the literature and reported on available studies on Digital Twins and their applications on healthcare management.
Results:
We performed a rapid review of the literature and reported on applications categorized in type of digital twin (system, process, product) and its contributions or functions (Safety management, Health management and Wellbeing promotion, Information management, and Operations control). Studies that were peer-reviewed, in English that reported digital twins’ use for healthcare management were included. We excluded studies that reported digital twins’ use to support healthcare practice (organ transplant, precision medicine etc.). Findings of (n=18) studies were reported and discussed from a systems and human factors perspective. Challenges related to the adoption of digital twins were also summarized.
Conclusions:
Further studies with interdisciplinary approach should investigate this technology’s potential in addressing the problems that hinder healthcare systems’ growth and good performance. Clinical Trial: NA
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