Future of virtual education and telementoring

Abstract

Purpose of review To summarize recent technological advancements in medical and surgical education and explore what the future of medicine might be as it relates to blockchain technology, the metaverse, and web3. Recent findings Through the use of digitally assisted ophthalmic surgery and high dynamic range 3D cameras, it is now possible to record and live stream 3D video content. Although the ‘metaverse’ is still in its early stages, there are a variety of proto-metaverse technologies that exist to facilitate user interactions that can mimic the real world through the use of shared digital environments and 3D spatial audio. Advanced blockchain technologies can allow for further development of interoperable virtual worlds where a user has an on-chain identity, credentials, data, assets, and much more that they can carry across platforms seamlessly. Summary As remote real-time communication becomes an integral part of human interaction, 3D live streaming has the potential to revolutionize ophthalmic education by removing traditional geographic and physical constraints of in-person surgical viewing. The incorporation of metaverse and web3 technologies has created new outlets for knowledge sharing that may improve how we operate, teach, learn, and transfer knowledge.