The European Commission’s DISCIPULUS project, led by UCL researcher Vanessa Diaz, aims to build a roadmap towards the “digital patient”. The dynamic, virtual version of an individual, which Diaz describes as a “medical avatar” could run simulations of treatments to find the best course of action.
If a symptomatic patient arrives at hospital, a virtual “twin” is created, based on scans. Multiple testing is done on the avatar, and new scans are continuously uploaded, to determine the outcomes of various treatments.
The best and most tailored plan is then carried out. The patient is discharged with wearables, or other sensor based devices, to monitor key metrics at home, and continue to update the virtual twin during recovery.