Digital Twins in Primary Care: From Concept to Clinic
Khunsha FATIMA, Yusra HASHMI and Akram HUSSAIN
Digital Twins (DTs) in healthcare are digital models of patients, organs, or processes that undergo updates in real-time, allowing simulation and analysis of health trajectories and outcomes. This helps clinicians develop a personalised management plan for patients and facilitate shared decision-making. DTs are successfully being used in hospital based specialites for personalised treatment of patients. However, their application in primary care remains largely unexplored.To understand the concept of a human digital twin. To identify at least three primary care use cases of digital twins. To discuss practical implementation challenges and opportunities.Teaching method: Interactive teaching and small group discussion Workshop schedule: 0–5 min — Welcome and poll Introduction and establishing a baseline of knowledge among the participants. 5–15 min — Discussion of the main concept Definition of digital twins in healthcare and their current applications. 15–30 min — Practical applications of DTs in Primary Care Example use cases (COPD, heart failure, hypertension, frailty, mental health relapse risk). 30–42 min — Limitations of DTs Privacy, consent, and cost issues related to DTs in healthcare. 42–55 min — Group activity: Design a twin for a pre-defined scenario, discuss benefits and limitations. 55–60 min — Key takeaways from group discussion and conclusion.By the end of the workshop, participants should have a clear understanding of the concept of digital twins, have an idea of the practical uses of DTs in primary care, and have an awareness of the limitations and ethical considerations relating to this technology.Digital twins are an evolving technology. Their use in primary care can have a beneficial impact on health outcomes for patients and may result in a reduction in workload for clinicians. However, there are potential limitations and ethical considerations that need to be addressed before this technology can be widely adopted in primary care.
