Internet of Things (IoT) in Healthcare: Benefits and Use Cases

They say healthcare is the noblest profession to implement and benefit from the Internet of Things (IoT). 

And why shouldn't it be?

The digital shift in medicine is already gaining pace, and incorporating IoT only adds to the success of treatment outcomes. At the same time, it opens the doors to a transformative novel business model via healthcare IoT development. 

So we'll help you gain insights into how IoT can help make healthcare practices better via its benefits and real-life applications. 

Benefit #1: IoT enables remote and constant patient monitoring

Enabling remote and consistent analysis of patient parameters is one of the most significant advantages of IoT in healthcare. 

At times, even the short duration between the onset of symptoms and the time the patient reaches the hospital turns out to be a fatal delay. 

So, by constantly monitoring relevant patient vitals according to their condition, physicians and their teams can guide patients about their health in time. 

Use case #1: Cancer treatment

One of IoT's most promising use cases is monitoring patients with head and neck cancers. In a study conducted on 400 patients, Bluetooth-enabled weighing scales and blood pressure monitors proved to be directly instrumental in tracking health parameters consistently. 

Besides, in throat cancer patients, progressive weight loss and blood pressure changes are common, even with ongoing radiotherapy. So, constant data reporting enables better clinical planning. 

Benefit #2: IoT helps derive better clinical reasoning

IoT-based wearable devices make constant health monitoring a possibility. This helps clinicians in making an informed decision about future treatment goals.

IoT devices undertake continuous data collection roles without necessitating a physical exam. So, at the time of evaluation, a doctor has plenty of information to make the best possible clinical decision. 

Use case #2: Medical diagnostics

IoT-based swallowable pills, commonly called smart pills, can report data regarding stomach fluids and their functioning. 

By analyzing the data remotely, doctors can evaluate several gastrointestinal conditions, including GERD, Ulcerative colitis, hyperacidity, etc. 

Benefit #3: IoT makes healthcare facilities safer

Safety per se has several dimensions in a healthcare facility. Primarily, patient safety is paramount; thus, IoT devices that monitor hospital conditions for optimal recovery are essential. 

Besides, the sensor-based working of IoT systems can enable better capacity management in hospitals. 

Use case #3: Patient's temperature monitoring

Temperature sensors that send out alerts whenever there is any deviation from optimal food, medication, or sterilization temperatures, are crucial for patient safety. 

Benefit #4: IoT enhances patients' comfort and convenience

One of the biggest reasons for an increase in healthcare burden is the difficulty accessing healthcare facilities. Patients living alone seldom can physically contact or reach out to a healthcare professional in an emergency. 

But IoT establishes prompt communication channels to improve accessibility, thereby increasing the patient's comfort and convenience. 

Use case #4: Telemedicine apps

Several startups use IoT-based mechanisms for telemedicine applications. Telemedicine apps allow users to seek expert opinions without traveling or waiting in long hospital queues. This ultimately enhances their convenience in seeking medical help. 

Benefit #5: IoT increases patients' adherence to a healthy lifestyle

As per a UN report, the quantum of deaths caused by chronic lifestyle diseases is expected to increase by a whopping 70% by 2030. The reason why lifestyle diseases are becoming uncontrollable is the non-adherence to healthy lifestyle patterns. 

Even when doctors caution them, patients find it daunting to make transformative changes in their lifestyle. IoT, through its remote monitoring and health delivery systems, can help improve adherence outcomes.

Use case #5: Treatment of diabetes mellitus

Doctors prescribe innovative IoT devices like intelligent insulin pens that assess insulin levels regularly and provide metrics on patients' eating and treatment adherence patterns. 

The bottom line

IoT is a transformative technology, impacting healthcare in multiple ways like:

• improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery, 

• adding to the reliability and accuracy of the treatments, and 

• establishing better communication channels between patients and practitioners. 

All these and many other capabilities are revolutionizing healthcare for good. It will be interesting to see how the adoption of IoT in healthcare will gain momentum in the future.