Role of Digital Twins, Generative AI, and Extended Reality in Cancer Care; CanConTech, a Human Factors Framework for Technology Connectedness

The intersection of healthcareHealthcareand technologyTechnology has brought about a significant transformation in cancerCancercareCaremanagementManagement. This shift is characterized by the integration of digital healthHealth innovations, which have the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. In a recent paper, the CanConTech frameworkFramework, a humanHuman factors approach that emphasizes the connectedness of emerging technologies in oncology, was introduced. The frameworkFramework elucidates the pivotal roles of digital twinsDigital, Digital twins, generative AI, and extended realityExtended reality (XR) and their synergistic potential to enhance patient careCare. Digital twins offer personalized simulations of patients’ health responses, which enable precise treatment adaptations. Generative AI promises to revolutionize treatment planning and predictive diagnostics by analyzing extensive healthHealth data to unveil treatment responses and novel strategies. XR, encompassing virtual and augmented reality, delivers immersive experiences for both patients and healthcareHealthcare professionals, facilitating advanced procedural training and patient education for informed decision-making. The CanConTech frameworkFramework underscores the necessity of integrating these technologies to address the multifaceted challenges of cancer careCare. Telehealth and Electronic HealthHealth Records (EHR) are critical for ensuring continuous care and efficient data exchange, playing an indispensable role in patient monitoring and multidisciplinary collaboration. Wearables and mobile health (mHealth) apps extend the reach of patient managementManagement beyond clinical settings, promoting self-monitoring and adherence. Despite the transformative potential of these technologies, their implementation poses challenges, including Interoperability, data privacy, and ethical considerations. The discussion in the paper reviews these hurdles, highlighting the need for standardized protocols, ongoing professional development, and robust cybersecurity measures to ensure equitable access to these advancements. This comprehensive review and proposed framework aim to catalyze a coherent integration of digital tools in cancerCancercareCare, striving for a healthcareHealthcare system that is more effective, efficient, and patient-centered. The CanConTech frameworkFramework lays the groundwork for a technologyTechnology-infused future in oncology that prioritizes personalized care, aiming to improve outcomes and the quality of life for cancer patients.