The Internet of Things (IoT) is slowly starting to weave into healthcare on both the
doctor and patient fronts. IoT refers to the network of interconnected devices that can
communicate, collect and exchange data over the internet. IoT has many benefits for
healthcare, such as improving patient experience, reducing costs, enhancing treatment
outcomes and accelerating diagnosis.
One of the main applications of IoT in healthcare is remote health monitoring. This
allows patients to track their health conditions using devices such as ultrasounds,
thermometers, glucose monitors, electrocardiograms and more that are connected to
the internet and send data to their doctors or caregivers. This is crucial for those
situations that require follow-up appointments with doctors or chronic disease
management.
Another example of IoT in healthcare is smart beds, which can sense the presence of a
patient and automatically adjust itself to the correct angle and pressure to provide
proper support without the need for a nurse to intervene. Multiple hospitals have started
to utilize smart beds to improve patient comfort and reduce staff workload.
The IoT could also help transform patient care at home. Sadly, some patients don’t take
their medication in appropriate doses or at the correct times. Smart medication
dispensers in the home could automatically upload information to the cloud and alert
doctors when patients don’t take their medicine. More broadly, this type of technology
could let doctors know of any potentially dangerous patient behavior.
IoT in healthcare is not only beneficial for patients, but also for doctors and other
healthcare professionals. IoT devices can help them access comprehensive and
accurate data about their patients’ health status, history and preferences, which can
enable them to make informed decisions and provide personalized care. IoT devices
can also perform self-maintenance, such as detecting low battery levels or
malfunctioning components, and communicate with medical personnel and
manufacturers.
IoT in healthcare is still evolving and facing some challenges, such as security, privacy,
interoperability and regulation issues. However, the potential of IoT to improve
healthcare quality, efficiency and accessibility is undeniable. As more devices become
connected and intelligent, IoT will likely revolutionize the healthcare industry for both
doctors and patients