Digital Twins and Health Care: an Umbrella Review

Technological advancements are enhancing healthcare, with digital twin (DT) technology emerging as a key tool for personalized and efficient care. This umbrella review systematically evaluates the literature on DT applications in healthcare, focusing on their effectiveness, challenges, and potential to substantially improve patient care.An umbrella review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) manual for evidence synthesis and the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore, targeting systematic reviews published up to July 2024. The inclusion criteria focused on systematic reviews and meta-analyses related to the usage of DT technologies in healthcare settings.The review identified a considerable number of systematic reviews that highlight the role of DTs in various domains of healthcare, including personalized medicine, predictive maintenance of medical equipment, and healthcare system optimization. Key themes included the integration of real-time data and predictive modeling, which enhance chronic disease management and surgical planning. However, barriers to implementation were noted, including data privacy concerns, validation issues, and high costs.DT technology has the potential to enhance healthcare delivery by enabling personalized treatment and improving operational efficiencies. However, addressing ethical challenges, particularly concerning data privacy and security, is crucial for the successful integration of DTs in clinical practice. This umbrella review underscores the need for continued research to overcome these challenges and facilitate the widespread adoption of DT technologies in healthcare.