Background

The field of healthcare is undergoing significant transformation due to the adoption of digital technologies, data-driven platforms, and immersive learning tools. With these advancements, medical institutions like Ramathibodi Hospital are at the forefront of integrative management of new technologies to enhance patient care, medical training, and healthcare services.

As one of Thailand’s leading medical institutions, Ramathibodi Hospital, in collaboration with the Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), has pioneered the development of an Open Medical Data Platform. This critical infrastructure supports efficient healthcare delivery, research, AI, and medical innovations through the standardization and sharing of medical data. The platform enables seamless integration of large, high-quality datasets, which are essential for training AI algorithms. By providing access to diverse and standardized patient data, the platform allows for the development of advanced machine learning models that can drive diagnostic accuracy, predictive analytics, and personalized medicine. Furthermore, it fosters innovation by enabling AI researchers to collaborate across institutions, accelerating the development of new tools and solutions that improve patient outcomes.

At the same time, the hospital has also embraced Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, both in medical education and patient care, offering innovative solutions that improve learning experiences for students and provide therapeutic support for patients, particularly in palliative care.

This study visit aims to showcase key innovations and their potential to shape the future of healthcare. By engaging with Ramathibodi Hospital’s expert teams, participants will explore how these cutting-edge technologies are being integrated into the Thai healthcare system and learn about the practical applications and future possibilities of these tools in advancing healthcare outcomes of Thailand.

Objectives of the Study Visit:

1. Open Medical Data Platform :
   1. Showcase Ramathibodi’s pivotal role in developing a medical data platform for the Thai population.
   2. Demonstrate a model for data standards, sharing, and governance, ensuring secure, ethical, and efficient utilization of medical data.
   3. Examples of AI solutions derived from the platform
   4. Highlight the platform's infrastructure, which includes cloud-based storage, data standardization tools, data processing, serving as the foundation for creating a robust AI ecosystem.
2. Showcase AR/VR Integration :
   1. To demonstrate the use of AR and VR technologies in medical training at one of Thailand's leading healthcare institutions.
   2. To demonstrate the use of AR and VR technologists to help in palliative care patients.
3. Discuss Future Potential: To engage with key stakeholders on how these innovations can enhance medical training, patient outcomes, and the overall healthcare system.

Field Trip Overview

Participants will visit Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok to see and experience the following activities:

1. Open Medical Data Platform: Participants will explore Ramathibodi Hospital's pioneering role in creating a medical data platform for the Thai population, designed to enhance healthcare outcomes and streamline the national health system. The tour will highlight the hospital's vision in establishing a foundation for data-driven healthcare and AI development. Attendees will learn about the hospital's model for data standards, sharing, and governance, ensuring the secure, ethical, and efficient use of patient information. This standardization enables safe data exchange between institutions and forms the backbone for AI research. Participants will see real-world examples of AI-powered solutions derived from the platform, such as diagnostic tools for early disease detection (e.g., pulmonary or liver conditions) and clinical decision support systems that improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes. A comprehensive overview of the platform’s infrastructure will demonstrate both on premise and cloud-based storage, data standardization tools, data processing networks, all of which foster a collaborative AI ecosystem involving hospitals, research institutions, and technology companies, accelerating AI-driven innovations in clinical practice.
2. AR/VR application in education and patient’s care
   1. AR/VR in Anatomy Training:  Participants will see how AR and VR technologies create detailed 3D visualizations of human anatomy. The demonstration will highlight the ability to simulate virtual anatomical structures, allowing students to interact with lifelike models of bones, muscles, and tissues. This immersive experience offers a deeper understanding of complex anatomy, surpassing traditional textbooks and cadaver-based learning.
   2. VR for Palliative Care: The project is led by a team of experts from Ramathibodi Hospital, focusing on creating a new virtual environment to provide comfort and enhance the quality of life for these patients. Participants will see how AR and VR technologies fulfill patients' last wishes and enhance palliative care by alleviating pain and improving the well-being of patients undergoing end-of-life care in Thailand.
3. Panel Discussion with Experts
   This panel discussion will provide participants with a deep dive into two pioneering initiatives at Ramathibodi Hospital: The Open Medical Data Platform and the application of AR/VR technologies in medical education and patient care. The session will explore the hospital’s role in data-driven healthcare, as well as cutting-edge immersive technologies in training and patient well-being.

Expected Outcomes

• Comprehensive Understanding of Open Medical Data Platforms: Participants will gain insights into how healthcare data can be standardized, shared, and governed to facilitate the development of medical AI and research to improve patient outcomes.
• Immersive Learning through AR/VR: The hands-on demonstration will show how AR and VR technologies are revolutionizing medical education and improving the patient care experience, particularly for palliative care patients.
• Future-Ready Healthcare Systems: Through expert discussions, participants will leave with an understanding of the future potential of these technologies in advancing medical training, enhancing patient care, and creating a more connected, data-driven healthcare system in Thailand.
• Future Collaborations: The trip will open avenues for future collaborations between Thailand’s healthcare sector and international stakeholders in advancing digital healthcare education.

Conclusion

This field trip provides participants with the opportunity to observe and learn about the latest innovations in healthcare technology at Ramathibodi Hospital. Through a detailed presentation of the Open Medical Data Platform and live demonstration of the application of AR/VR in medical education and patient care, participants will gain practical insights into how these technologies are being integrated into the hospital's operations. The panel discussion with experts will offer additional perspectives on the potential of these innovations to improve medical training, patient outcomes, and the healthcare system overall.