Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39969978›Full record

SynthesisJournal of medical Internet research2025

Advancing Health Care With Digital Twins: Meta-Review of Applications and Implementation Challenges.

Mickaël Ringeval, Faustin Armel Etindele Sosso, Martin Cousineau, Guy Paré

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of medical Internet research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 43 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
43citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

43 citing papers in PubMed.

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  10. Development of Design-Phase Digital Twin for Structural Optimization of a Biomedical Device.International journal for numerical methods in biomedical engineering · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Mickaël RingevalHEC Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9544-6202
Faustin Armel Etindele SossoCentre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1977-0991
Martin CousineauHEC Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9184-3553
Guy ParéHEC Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7425-1994

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDigital twins (DTs) are digital representations of real-world systems, enabling advanced simulations, predictive modeling, and real-time optimization in various fields, including health care. Despite growing interest, the integration of DTs in health care faces challenges such as fragmented applications, ethical concerns, and barriers to adoption.

objectiveThis study systematically reviews the existing literature on DT applications in health care with three objectives: (1) to map primary applications, (2) to identify key challenges and limitations, and (3) to highlight gaps that can guide future research.

methodsA meta-review was conducted in a systematic fashion, adhering to PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines, and included 25 literature reviews published between 2021 and 2024. The search encompassed 5 databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Embase, and PsycINFO. Thematic synthesis was used to categorize DT applications, stakeholders, and barriers to adoption.

resultsA total of 3 primary DT applications in health care were identified: personalized medicine, operational efficiency, and medical research. While current applications, such as predictive diagnostics, patient-specific treatment simulations, and hospital resource optimization, remain in their early stages of development, they highlight the significant potential of DTs. Challenges include data quality, ethical issues, and socioeconomic barriers. This review also identified gaps in scalability, interoperability, and clinical validation.

conclusionsDTs hold transformative potential in health care, providing individualized care, operational optimization, and accelerated research. However, their adoption is hindered by technical, ethical, and financial barriers. Addressing these issues requires interdisciplinary collaboration, standardized protocols, and inclusive implementation strategies to ensure equitable access and meaningful impact.

Indexed as

Delivery of Health CareHumansPrecision Medicineapplicationschallengesdigital twinshealthcare innovationhealth ITmeta-reviewoperational efficiencypersonalized medicine

Identifiers

PMID39969978
PMCPMC11888003

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.