Connected healthcare—the impact of Internet of Things on medical services
Wasswa Shafik
Abstract
The proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare has revolutionized the industry, with a focus on enhancing patient care and optimizing processes. Using IoT, doctors and nurses can check on the health of their patients from afar, making it easier to find problems early and treat them. Consequently, remote monitoring has led to better patient outcomes, fewer hospital readmissions, and lower healthcare costs. Moreover, IoT has turned hospitals into smart buildings with sensors and devices that work together to make patients safer and care for them better. Smart devices track and monitor a patient’s vital signs and let doctors know if there are any sudden changes in their health. Despite its benefits, IoT implementation in healthcare presents unique challenges, including data privacy, security concerns, and information overload. This chapter investigates IoT-centered smart health, the medical advantages of medical IoTs, their essential characteristics, IoT applications in healthcare, and the potential challenges and future insights. Collaboration between healthcare providers, technology companies, and regulatory bodies is needed to ensure IoT is used responsibly and effectively in healthcare, maximizing its potential to improve patient care outcomes and efficiency while lowering costs. Using the IoT in healthcare has improved medical services, but dealing with the problems and limits is vital to get the most out of it. Collaboration between healthcare providers, technology companies, and regulatory bodies is essential to ensuring IoT’s responsible and effective use in healthcare. By embracing the IoT, working on open research questions, and smart medical innovation, the healthcare industry can improve patient care and outcomes while reducing costs and increasing efficiency.