“I am Mantis” – Transforming Medication Journeys through the Power of Art, AI and the Metaverse

Embark on a captivating journey into the heart of patient care, where art, empathy, and cutting-edge technology converge to illuminate the hidden narratives of patients’ medication journeys. Much like the character Mantis, from Guardians of the Galaxy, who senses and influences emotions, we offer a fresh perspective into the emotional landscapes of patients' experiences through an in-house developed Metaverse Art Gallery of Image Chronicles (MAGIC). In this session, we unveil how art therapy can become a catalyst for emotional healing and personal growth, by offering patients a platform for self-reflection and empowerment. By externalizing patients’ lived experiences of their medication journeys through art, clinicians can gain fresh perspectives, bridging the gap between patient experiences and clinical understanding. Discover how a transdisciplinary collaboration between an uncanny duo combined the art and science of medication therapy – literally – to create an immersive virtual realm crafted using generative artificial intelligence (AI), where patients' symbolic descriptions of their medication journeys come to life through hero-villain portrayals. Join us as we explore the transformative potential of MAGIC in creating relatable experiences that resonate with patients and clinicians alike. Experience firsthand how art, AI, and empathy, can be synergized to enhance patient care and understanding.

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Clin Assoc Prof Kevin Yap is an inter-disciplinary digital health strategist, healthcare innovator and cyber-pharmacist researcher. His interests include the development and quality evaluation of healthcare innovations, telehealth/mHealth applications, extended reality, metaverse and serious games, artificial intelligence, and 3D-printed applications, among others. He has over 100 journal publications, 4 book chapters, 1 book and presented at more than 100 conferences. His work has won several local and international awards, including the prestigious Re-imagine Education International Awards in the USA by the QS Rankings organization, and featured in various news media, such as The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao and The Australian News. He is a recently Certified Metaverse Expert and Prompt Engineer and received the Health 2.0 Outstanding Leadership Award for his leadership excellence in the field of digital health. Besides being on several journal editorial boards, Kevin is also an invited reviewer of numerous international journals, grants, and conferences.

Phylaine Toh, AThR is a credentialed Art Therapist working at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH). She is also an appointed member of the newly established SingHealth Duke-NUS Medical Humanities Institute, involved in Health Professional Education and Narrative Medicine.

Phylaine is experienced in supporting adolescents and adults living with long-standing psychiatric or physical conditions such as Eating Disorders and Complex Trauma. She also facilitates legacy Art Therapy interventions to support individuals who are receiving end-of-life care.

Phylaine’s passion lies in the humanistic aspects of patient care in acute medical settings and beyond. Through her involvement in various interprofessional initiatives, Phylaine aims to spark conversations on the role of Medical Humanities with likeminded individuals.