Integrating Metaverse in Healthcare: Overcoming Digital and Cultural Barriers to Adoption

The study explores the key factors influencing the adoption of metaverse technology in healthcare, highlighting the critical roles of perceived ease of use, usefulness, and trust, while also examining the moderating effects of the digital divide and meta-culture. It suggests that addressing digital inequalities and fostering trust are essential for successful metaverse integration in healthcare systems.

A study conducted by researchers from Nanjing Normal University in China, the Institute of Business Management in Pakistan, and King Saud University in Saudi Arabia, delves into the critical factors influencing the adoption of metaverse technology in the healthcare sector. As digital transformation accelerates globally, healthcare is one of the sectors poised to benefit significantly from these advancements. However, the adoption of such revolutionary technology is not without its challenges. This study aims to explore how perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and trust impact the adoption of metaverse in healthcare while also considering the moderating effects of digital division and meta-culture. The research utilized a quantitative methodology, collecting data from 384 respondents in Pakistan and China through judgmental sampling. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to understand the relationships between these factors and the adoption of metaverse technology in healthcare.

Key Factors Influencing Metaverse Adoption

The findings of the study underscore the importance of perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and trust in the adoption of the metaverse in healthcare. The results show a significant positive relationship between perceived ease of use and the adoption of the metaverse, with a β-value of 0.236, a t-value of 5.207, and a p-value of 0.000. This indicates that as users find the metaverse easier to use, their likelihood of adopting the technology increases substantially. Similarly, perceived usefulness also plays a crucial role, with a β-value of 0.233, a t-value of 4.017, and a p-value of 0.000, demonstrating that users are more inclined to adopt the metaverse if they perceive it as beneficial and enhancing their job performance or healthcare experience. Trust, another key factor, showed a positive relationship with the adoption of the metaverse, with a β-value of 0.192, a t-value of 3.589, and a p-value of 0.000. This suggests that trust in the technology and its applications is vital for users to embrace the metaverse in healthcare settings.

The Role of the Digital Divide and Meta-culture

The study also examined the moderating effects of the digital divide and meta-culture on these relationships. The digital divide, defined as the gap between those who have access to modern digital technologies and those who do not, was found to have a moderating effect on the relationship between perceived ease of use and metaverse adoption. Specifically, the digital divide amplifies the impact of perceived ease of use on adoption, as indicated by a β-value of 0.078, a t-value of 1.848, and a p-value of 0.032. This finding highlights the importance of addressing digital inequalities to enhance the adoption of new technologies like the metaverse in healthcare. However, the digital divide did not significantly moderate the relationships between perceived usefulness and trust with metaverse adoption. This suggests that while access to technology plays a role in how easy or difficult users find the metaverse to use, it does not substantially alter their perceptions of its usefulness or their trust in it. Similarly, meta-culture, which refers to the overarching cultural norms and values shaped by digital and virtual environments, did not significantly moderate any of the relationships between perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, trust, and metaverse adoption. This indicates that cultural differences, while important in many aspects of technology adoption, may not play a decisive role in the context of metaverse adoption in healthcare.

Implications for Policymakers and Healthcare Providers

These findings have significant implications for policymakers and healthcare providers looking to integrate metaverse technologies into healthcare systems. The study suggests that efforts to increase the perceived ease of use, usefulness, and trust in metaverse technologies should be prioritized to encourage adoption. Additionally, addressing the digital divide is crucial, particularly in regions where access to advanced digital technologies is limited. By improving digital infrastructure and providing training to enhance digital literacy, healthcare providers can ensure that the benefits of metaverse technologies are accessible to a broader population. The study also points to the need for culturally sensitive approaches when implementing new technologies, although meta-culture was not found to be a significant moderating factor in this study.

Moving Forward with Metaverse in Healthcare

The adoption of metaverse technology in healthcare holds great potential for transforming how healthcare services are delivered and accessed. However, successful adoption requires careful consideration of factors such as ease of use, usefulness, and trust, as well as the broader socio-cultural and digital environment. This study provides valuable insights that can guide the development of strategies to overcome the barriers to adopting metaverse technologies in healthcare, ensuring that these innovations are accessible and beneficial to all.