INTRODUCTION

You must notice that healthcare is at the forefront of technological advancements, with the Internet of Things (IoT) leading the way. IoT device integration in healthcare has made possibilities that were before unthinkable attainable. Additionally, 41.6 billion IoT devices will be in use globally by 2025. Thus, a healthcare industry is set to experience a massive transformation. 

Furthermore, IoT in healthcare encompasses a broad range of applications, including remote patient monitoring, wearable devices, smart hospital equipment, telemedicine, and health tracking apps. 

So, imagine this; a future where doctors can monitor their patient's vital signs, medication intake, and overall health status in real-time, all from a single digital platform.A world where patients are empowered to take charge of their health through wearable devices that track their activity levels, sleep patterns, and nutrition. 

However, as with every innovative thing comes with both benefits and challenges. Thus, this too has the same and to overcome those challenges you need to understand every aspect. If you need and want to integrate IoT in your healthcare apps read this blog and then hire an IoT Development Company.

APPLICATION OF IoT IN HEALTHCARE

The future of IoT(Internet of Things) in healthcare is very promising, as it has the potential to influence healthcare deliveries. IoT technology is used in motoring patient health in real-time, track medication adherence, and enable remote consultations with healthcare providers. 

So, In which healthcare applications you can integrate IoT in healthcare;  

  1. Remote Patient Monitoring 

IoT-enabled devices allow healthcare professionals to monitor patients remotely, collect data, and provide feedback in real-time. An example of this is the BioSticker, a wearable device that tracks vital signs, such as heart rate and respiratory rate, and transmits the data to healthcare professionals. 

  1. Wearable Technology

Wearables can track a wide range of health metrics, from steps taken to sleep patterns, and monitor vital signs. Examples include Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Garmin.  

  1. Medication Adherence 

IoT can help patients adhere to their medication regimens by sending reminders and tracking usage. An example is the MedMinder, a smart pill dispenser that reminds patients when it's time to take their medication and tracks their adherence.

  1. Telemedicine 

Healthcare professionals can enable IoT in remote consultations, thereby eliminating the need for in-person visits. One such is Teladoc, which enables patients to video call doctors. 

  1. Medical Alert System

IoT-enabled alert systems can notify emergency services or designated contacts if a patient needs help. Examples include Philips Lifeline and Greatcall. 

  1. Ingestible Sensors

Sensors that can be ingested can track drug compliance and keep an eye on vitals. An example is the Proteus Discover, which consists of a sensor-equipped pill that communicates with a wearable patch.

  1. Trackable Inhalers

IoT-enabled inhalers can track usage and provide feedback to patients and healthcare professionals. An example is Propeller Health, which tracks inhaler usage and provides personalized insights to improve asthma management.

  1. Activity Tracker During Cancer Treatment 

IoT can help cancer patients monitor their physical activity levels during treatment. An example is the MyFitnessPal app, which allows patients to track their exercise and diet to manage their symptoms and improve their overall health.

BENEFITS OF IoT IN HEALTHCARE

  1. Remote Patient Monitoring 

You can use IoT devices to monitor the health of a patient remotely. such as glucose levels, blood pressure, and heart rate.  This may enable earlier identification of health issues and more successful treatment. 

  1. Improved Patient Outcomes 

Healthcare professionals can make more informed decisions about patient care because of the real-time collection and analysis of patient data made possible by IoT devices. Better patient outcomes could arise from early detection of health issues and more efficient treatment.

  1. Cost Savings

By enabling remote patient monitoring and lowering the need for hospital stays and readmissions, IoT devices can aid in lowering healthcare expenses. Additionally, IoT devices can help to optimize resource utilization, which can further reduce costs.

  1. Increased Efficiency

IoT devices can automate repetitive processes like patient monitoring and data analysis, giving healthcare professionals more time to concentrate on more crucial tasks. This can increase overall efficiency and productivity in the healthcare industry.

  1. Better Resources Utilization 

IoT devices can assist healthcare professionals in locating places where resources are being misused or wasted, enabling more effective resource allocation. This can improve overall resource utilization and reduce waste.

  1. Improved Patient Experience

IoT devices have the potential to provide more personalized care and enable individuals to actively manage their own health. This can improve the overall patient experience and lead to better patient satisfaction.

CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS OF IoT IN HEALTHCARE

While the benefits of IoT in healthcare are significant, there are also several challenges and limitations that need to be addressed. Some of the main problems and limitations with IoT in healthcare are as follows:

  • Security and Privacy

IoT devices run the risk of exposing private information about patients to security flaws. To prevent unwanted access and safeguard patient privacy, it is essential to make sure that these devices are properly secured.

  • Interoperability

There are currently many different IoT devices on the market that use different protocols and standards, making it difficult to integrate them into existing healthcare systems. This can create interoperability issues that need to be addressed.

  • Data Management

Healthcare providers may find it challenging to manage and evaluate the large amounts of data produced by IoT devices, especially those lacking the necessary data analytics skills.

  • Regulatory Issues

Several laws and standards, such as HIPAA and GDPR, govern the use of IoT devices in healthcare. When using IoT devices, healthcare practitioners must make sure they are in compliance with these laws.

  • Reliability and Accuracy

The accuracy and reliability of IoT devices can vary depending on the device and the conditions under which it is used. It is crucial to ensure that these devices are accurate and reliable before using them for patient care.

  • Cost

IoT devices can be expensive, particularly if you need to replace and maintain them frequently. Because of this, it might be challenging for healthcare practitioners to embrace these devices widely.

FUTURE TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF IoT IN HEALTHCARE

  • Real-Time Location Services (RTLS)

The use of RTLS technology allows medical professionals to keep tabs on the whereabouts of patients, supplies, and personnel inside a hospital. IoT will enable the use of RTLS in real-time, enabling healthcare providers to optimize workflows, reduce wait times, and improve patient care.

  • Predictive Analytic

AI and machine learning techniques can examine and predict patient outcomes by utilizing the enormous volumes of data generated by IoT devices. By doing so, healthcare professionals will be able to spot possible health problems before they become serious and offer focused interventions. 

  • Smart Medication Management 

IoT will enable smart medication management systems that can track medication intake and dosage, and provide reminders. In addition it also alerts healthcare providers if a patient misses a dose.

  • Health Data Exchange

IoT will enable the secure exchange of health data between patients, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders. Facilitating data-driven decision-making and improving patient outcomes.

  • Personalized Medicine

IoT devices will enable healthcare providers to tailor treatments and therapies to individual patients' needs. Leveraging data from wearable and other sources to provide personalized care.

  • Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in Healthcare

IoT will enable the use of AR and VR in healthcare. This provides immersive experiences for patients and healthcare providers, enabling remote consultations, and improving patient outcomes.

  • Robotics in Healthcare

IoT will enable the use of robots in healthcare, providing assistance with surgeries, caregiving, and other medical procedures. IoT will also enable the development of robotic exoskeletons that can assist individuals with mobility issues.

CONCLUSION

The future of IoT in healthcare is incredibly promising. With the ability to collect and analyze data in real-time. The IoT has the potential to revolutionize the way we deliver and receive healthcare. However, there are also challenges to IoT in healthcare that must be addressed, including data security and privacy concerns. So, all you need to do is do research and analyze this blog. Lastly, find an IoT development company and leverage the future of IoT in healthcare.