IoT has become a staple in the modern healthcare industry. Enabling remote monitoring and real-time data sharing is key to the enhanced efficiency and success of the hospitals of today.
Up until now, we’ve seen a lot of sensors and sensors advancements. But all of this would not be possible (or at least would not reach its full potential) if it wasn’t through solid, reliable IoT systems.
Yes, sensors will collect vital health data such as heart rate, glucose levels, respiratory information, etc. But once this data is captured, it needs to be communicated. For this reason, devices must be IoT enabled to transmit the data via cellular or WiFi networks, making it available for healthcare providers and allowing specialists to monitor patient conditions remotely.
So, how is IoT’s role in healthcare shaping the industry today, and how is the industry shaping healthcare IoT?
Virtual Hospitals and Telemedicine 2.0: Expanding the Reach of Healthcare
One of the most significant advancements in IoT-powered healthcare is the rise of virtual hospitals and the next evolution of telemedicine.
“Traditional” telemedicine, or telemedicine 1.0 went through a massive hike during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its remote accessibility. By showing its potential, this quick growth also revealed its limitations.
Now, moving towards telemedicine 2.0 the biggest differentiator is the specialized attention patients can get from medical specialists who can track, monitor, and report vital health data thanks to remote monitoring tools powered by IoT.
This leaps telemedicine forward, from generalist checkups to the enhanced care of patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, respiratory illnesses, etc. IoT devices make vital health signs easily accessible for both the patient and the healthcare provider, simplifying and allowing less experienced health professionals to monitor the data. This, in turn, eases the pressure on healthcare systems, reducing bottlenecks by delegating tasks to vocational nurses or other technicians while still ensuring the critical data reaches the specialists.
By improving smart healthcare technology, we contribute to the accessibility of wellbeing, delivering better care even with less experience or training. This creates a symbiotic relationship between engineers and healthcare providers, who are now responsible as to how to use the newly acquired data effectively.
Sensor Data: Addressing Subjectivity in Patient Symptoms
A challenge often faced by doctors is the subjective nature of how patients describe their symptoms. As Don Gunn pointed out during our discussion, “the same symptom in one person can be described completely differently than in another person that’s having the exact same experience.” This variability can lead to misinterpretation of symptoms and delayed diagnosis.
IoT devices, through real-time sensor data, remove this ambiguity by providing objective and quantifiable metrics directly to healthcare providers. Doctors no longer have to rely solely on patient accounts to make diagnoses; instead, they can analyze sensor data to get a clear and accurate picture of a patient’s condition. This shift improves diagnosis accuracy, reduces the likelihood of errors, and ensures patients receive the appropriate care.
Case study: Smart Inhalers and the Future of Connected Devices
Smart inhalers are a good example of how IoT can revolutionize the healthcare of tomorrow. Traditional inhalers, as we know, have been saving the lives of asthma patients for decades. Now, their smart version can not only save their lives, but also track the frequency of use and the environmental conditions that trigger their symptoms.
This can help both patients and healthcare providers to better understand the asthma triggers and adjust treatment to a more personalized and effective approach. This way, IoT turns an already life-saving tool into a catalyzer for better living.
By following this example, the integration of IoT into other healthcare technology such as wearables and portable medical devices could reshape healthcare delivery on a global scale.
The Future of IoT-Powered Healthcare: Opportunities and Challenges
As IoT-powered healthcare continues to rise, how can it anticipate its own limitations and adjust accordingly? Its potential seems limitless, but with the increased levels of efficiency, comes the responsibility to ensure that healthcare providers are equipped to handle the influx of data generated by these devices.
Smart devices make healthcare accessible and facilitate many tasks. However, any new device comes with a learning curve that must be prepared for with a robust training and education program for medical professionals, ensuring they can leverage and make the most of IoT capabilities.
In addition, security remains a paramount responsibility, making it imperative to ensure the necessary measures to protect sensitive information from any type of breach.
The future of IoT-powered healthcare is not only in the capacity for technological advancements and innovation, but also on how well healthcare systems can adapt to them. As Allen Cabreros states, “there is some type of social responsibility that needs to happen [to ensure that the next generation of healthcare providers can effectively use the data provided by IoT devices]”.
Before we move on to our fourth article in the series, Wearable and Portable Medical Devices: Enhancing Patient Care, do you have any Health and Wellness projects you’d like to take to the next level?
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