This study aims to investigate the intersection between the Metaverse and healthcare, with a particular focus on its emerging potential to reshape medical research and clinical practice.
A comprehensive scientometric and altmetric analysis was conducted on 567 publications related to the Metaverse, retrieved from the PubMed (MEDLINE) and EMBASE databases. The study analysed publication trends, citation patterns and patterns of online engagement across multiple digital platforms.
The findings indicate a substantial growth in scholarly output over time. Thematic mapping identified 1,687 co-occurring keywords, revealing several distinct research clusters within the field. Contributions were identified from 66 countries, with China and South Korea leading in terms of publication output. In addition, a positive correlation was observed between traditional scientometric indicators (citations) and altmetric scores (Spearman’s correlation), despite relatively low levels of engagement across social media platforms.
The study is limited by its reliance mainly on PubMed and EMBASE, which may not capture all global publications. Relevant studies from other databases, regional repositories, preprints and conference proceedings may be missing. In addition, bibliometric and Altmetric measures may vary because of database-specific indexing and platform-dependent engagement. Therefore, the findings should be considered comprehensive rather than exhaustive. Future research should incorporate additional databases, broader Altmetric sources and more advanced analyses to better assess audience engagement and the real-world implementation of Metaverse technologies across diverse healthcare settings.
The findings highlight the importance of strengthening international and interdisciplinary collaboration to support the integration of Metaverse technologies into medical education, patient care and healthcare research. Strategic utilisation of social media and alternative dissemination channels may enhance research visibility, facilitate knowledge translation and promote evidence informed innovation in healthcare.
The study has important social implications for researchers, healthcare professionals and policymakers. It encourages stronger international and interdisciplinary collaboration and more effective digital dissemination to increase academic visibility and societal impact. For healthcare practice, it supports exploring immersive technologies in medical education, clinical simulation, tele-rehabilitation and patient care. It also highlights the need for ethical and regulatory frameworks to address data privacy, interoperability and standardisation in Metaverse-enabled healthcare systems, helping promote responsible and equitable innovation.
This study provides a systematic overview of the evolving research landscape of the Metaverse in healthcare by integrating scientometric and altmetric perspectives. By identifying current research trends, influential contributors and existing knowledge gaps, the study offers valuable insights to guide future research and policy development concerning the application of Metaverse technologies in healthcare.
