The Need for the Internet of Things (IoT) In Healthcare
The healthcare sector is in a state of intense misery. Healthcare related services are pricier than before, even as the universal aging population and chronic illnesses are increasing. We are, therefore, approaching a state where the primary healthcare will be out of reach for most individuals and more people will become more prone to long-term illnesses. For most people, a world with no accessible healthcare services is a reflection of the end of humankind. Fortunate enough, IoT development is the solution.
It is evident that technology cannot stop the global populace from aging and the spread of chronic illnesses immediately, but it can guarantee flexibility through reduced costs and accessibility. Despite the rapid development and adoption of technology across different sectors, it will never substitute humans since humans hold the final decision-making command. One can, however, in the process choose to settle for technological solutions that will make their work simple and create efficiency. IoT is best defined by the ability to bring about convenience, competence, and automation. IoT is the contemporary transformer technology that has been creating a thrill across industries but not yet embraced in the healthcare sector. IoT is an unrivaled innovation. Its primary objective in healthcare is to create reliable connections amid doctors and patients with zero restrictions. Such developments lead to health empowerment and the ability of the physicians to make informed choices centered on efficiency.
Why IoT is needed In Healthcare?
- To Enhance Patient Care
IoT is the equipment that will enhance each aspect of care and change its managing across the healthcare range. The use of this technology will lead to better illness management that offers better patients encounter. In case of emergency, patients can contact their physicians immediately. In other words, the technology will bring mobility solution in the industry since the doctors can check on their patients regularly and identify their issues. Constant reporting and patients monitoring via the automated devices can save lives in emergent situations such as heart attack, high blood pressure and so on. Real-time responses help in the easy acquisition of data. The technology can serve as a preventative measure given that through research, some chronic illnesses can be prevented. Patients can access health management information from the devices easily which educates them on how to manage their conditions better.
- Lower Healthcare Services Cost
With efficiency, expenses in accessing healthcare services are lower. Even though the issue of healthcare rising cost has been on the buzz over the last few years, it is widely agreed that the quality of care and efficiency are rather low. The situation is mainly driven by the fact that healthcare management needs are changing slightly rapidly thus, pressuring medics to respond instantly. Their decisions are less informed in most cases leading to inefficiency and illnesses intensification. With improved care then, patients will make fewer hospital visits as a whole resulting in less spending. This will, in turn, encourage quality and convenience given that one can access the services when needed with no hindrances. Thus, IoT will lower cost by reducing unnecessary hospital visits, quality utilization of resources and improved planning and allocation practices.
- Transform Data and Increase Patient Engagement and Satisfaction
Measured health will be the healthcare sector’s future given that anything that is quantifiable can be upgraded. Thus, it is essential to take advantage of measured health technology in the provision of more regular services. It is without a doubt that data acquisition and use in health care affect the general performance and therefore the technology can provide reliable grounds for easy operation tracking for desirable outcomes. Through this technology, the response teams can gather more updated and accurate information that is in turn used in care provision. IoT can empower patients to engage more with physicians through the optimization of services accessibility and convenience. For example, constant informing of the patients about their health and treatment will increase their engagement by ensuring that patients interact more with their physicians directly.
Despite the overwhelming benefits of IoT in the healthcare system, there are significant barriers. The most common limitations to its adoption are related to data storage, management, and security. Currently, there is little awareness regarding the use of this technology. Reliability and data safety is dependent on training among the users since the smooth flow of data relies on human control. Besides, infrastructure is a necessity that is currently missing, and most healthcare providers are unaware of how to develop it. The innovation is not likely to benefit the vulnerable population, for instance, the elderly, low-income earners and illiterate persons. Such people are not exposed to the use of the internet and its application, while those with low education levels will face difficulties in the coordination and operating the devices. Such needs must be addressed for the successful adoption of IoT in healthcare.
Evidently, IoT will change the healthcare industry as it is associated with convenience, competence, and automation. The technologies will expand care management causing significant changes in the patient’s satisfaction, cost, illnesses prevention, services quality, and accessibility.
References
https://hitconsultant.net/2017/11/03/internet-things-digital-future-value-based-care/
https://www.peerbits.com/blog/internet-of-things-healthcare-applications-benefits-and-challenges.html
Author Bio
Pauline Michael, is a researcher and writer at essaycyber.com. She enjoys writing with the objective of creating awareness and familiarity.
