IOT as a key in Digital Healthcare System

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected, internet-connected objects that can gather and transmit data without the need for human interaction across a wireless network. In healthcare, IoT is revolutionizing patient care by enabling continuous monitoring, real-time data collection, and improved treatment outcomes.

Kevin Ashton originated the term "internet of things" in 1999. The dot com boom was in full swing by the late 1990s, and academics like Neil Gershenfeld of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) were coining phrases like "Things That Think" to characterize research into the use of sensors on common objects.

IoT in Healthcare

In healthcare, the Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a network of connected medical devices that can generate, collect, and store data and connect to a network, analyze data, and transmit data. The growing popularity of IoT in the healthcare and medical fields has also fueled the growth of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT).

The IoMT industry is booming, with revenues expected to reach US$158 billion by 2022, up from US$41 billion in 2017. Remote patient monitoring is an example of IoMT, where patients with wireless medical equipment can track their vital signs at home while transmitting data to their healthcare providers.

Key Applications of IoT in Healthcare

• Remote patient monitoring − IoT devices collect health indicators such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature from patients who are not physically present in a healthcare facility, eliminating the need for frequent hospital visits.

• Glucose monitoring − Continuous, automatic glucose monitoring systems minimize manual record-keeping and alert patients when their glucose levels are dangerously low, providing real-time insights beyond periodic testing.

• Parkinson's disease monitoring − IoT devices gather data on Parkinson's symptoms continuously throughout the day, allowing patients to remain at home while healthcare practitioners track symptom severity fluctuations.

• Ingestible sensors − These sensors collect data from inside the human body in a less invasive manner, providing information about stomach pH levels or helping locate internal bleeding sources.

• Robotic surgery − Internet-connected miniature robots enable surgeons to perform complex procedures with greater precision while reducing incision sizes for faster patient recovery.

• Connected inhalers − Smart inhalers track the frequency of asthma and COPD attacks while collecting environmental data to help identify attack triggers.

• Heart-rate monitoring − Compact IoT devices allow continuous cardiac monitoring while patients move freely, achieving around 90% or higher accuracy rates.

Challenges of IoT in Healthcare

Conclusion

IoT technology is revolutionizing digital healthcare by enabling continuous patient monitoring, real-time data collection, and improved treatment outcomes. Despite challenges in security and implementation costs, IoT promises to transform healthcare delivery through enhanced connectivity and data-driven insights.