Digital Twin Technology Has Potential to Redefine Patient Care (Mayo Clinic)
Published in Numerical Simulations, Organisations, Personalized medicine.
Imagine if you could create a digital clone of yourself that can be used to test various treatment options to determine which one is best for your real self.
By John Halamka, M.D., President, Mayo Clinic Platform and Paul Cerrato, MA, senior research analyst and communications specialist, Mayo Clinic Platform
As strange as this may sound, it’s no longer in the realm of science fiction. One source states: “A digital twin is a digital replica of a physical object, person, system, or process, contextualized in a digital version of its environment. Digital twins can help many kinds of organizations simulate real situations and their outcomes, ultimately allowing them to make better decisions.” In the inanimate world, that could include a computer model of an airplane that can be used to test out new design concepts or safety features, or a digital twin that simulates the functioning of a piece of machinery that needs an update. According to consulting firm McKinsey & Co, it’s likely about $73.5 billion will be spent on this technology by 2027, including product, data and system twins.
A recent study from Scientific Reports illustrates how the technology can be used in a medical setting. Indian investigators enrolled over 1,800 patients with type 2 diabetes and created a digital twin (DT) for each patient that simulated their metabolic status, dietary intake, blood glucose levels, and lifestyle habits, enabling the twin to predict a patient’s outcomes. Shamanna et al explained that: “The DT system continuously collects and analyzes data from various sensors and inputs, allowing it to offer personalized dietary and lifestyle recommendations that are precisely calibrated to minimize PPGRs [postprandial glucose response] and improve overall glycemic control. The DT platform will suggest the right food to the right participant at the right time based on current readings. The behavioral nudges provided by the digital twin were accompanied by human coaching.” This kind of individualized advice goes way beyond what is offered diabetic patients, who typically receive recommendations based on static guidelines and the results of the blood glucose.