Role of Medical IoT Devices in Telehealth: A Future Outlook
Imagine living in a rural area, miles away from the nearest medical facility, where one must travel long distances to receive medical care, often spending hours on the road and in waiting rooms. This can be a major obstacle to good health.
To bridge this gap, telehealth has emerged as the best solution. It has allowed patients to access medical care from the comfort of their own homes using video conferencing and other digital platforms, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming visits to the doctor’s office or hospital.
To facilitate the implementation of telehealth, medical Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as wearable devices, smart sensors, and remote monitoring systems, play a crucial role.
In this article, we will discuss the role of medical IoT devices in telehealth and provide a future outlook on how they can transform healthcare delivery.
What are medical IoT devices?
Medical IoT devices are electronic devices integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) and are used in healthcare to monitor and manage health-related data.
These devices utilize sensors, wireless communication, and cloud computing to collect and analyze medical data such as blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose levels, and medication adherence.
These devices can include wearables devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers to medical devices such as blood glucose meters, blood pressure monitors, and Electrocardiogram (ECG) machines.
Medical IoT devices can be worn on the body, implanted, or used externally to provide real-time monitoring of patient health.
They can also be used to remotely manage and adjust medical equipment, track inventory, and improve operational efficiency in healthcare facilities.
Furthermore, medical IoT devices are designed to be easy to use and can be used by patients at home to monitor their health parameters.
Future of Medical IoT Devices in Telehealth
Medical IoT devices have a promising future in the field of telehealth, as they allow healthcare providers to remotely monitor patient health, collect data, and provide timely interventions to prevent potential health issues.
By seamlessly integrating with telehealth technology, these devices make it possible for patients to receive medical care in the comfort of their own homes, which not only improves access to healthcare but also reduces healthcare costs.
Moreover, with the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), medical IoT devices will become even more advanced and integral to telehealth.
This will transform healthcare delivery in the future, which is likely to drive demand and grow the market.
According to data insights from BIS Research, the global artificial intelligence/machine learning medical device market was valued at $4.01 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to reach $35.45 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 24.35% during the forecast period 2022–2032.
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Here are a few potential applications of these devices that could revolutionize the field of healthcare:
1. Improved Chronic Disease Management
Medical IoT devices can enable remote monitoring of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Patients can use medical IoT devices to monitor their health parameters and transmit the data to their healthcare providers. Healthcare providers can then use this data to make informed decisions about patient care and provide early interventions if necessary.
For instance, diabetic patients can use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices that are connected to their smartphones to track their blood sugar levels in real time.
Healthcare providers can monitor this data remotely and make informed decisions about patient care, such as adjusting medication dosages or suggesting lifestyle changes.
2. Enhanced Patient Engagement
The integration of medical IoT devices with telehealth technology can help patients become more engaged in their healthcare. By monitoring their health parameters and tracking progress over time, patients can take a more active role in managing their conditions.
For instance, wearable fitness trackers can monitor daily activity levels, including steps taken, calories burned, and heart rate. Patients struggling with lifestyle diseases such as asthma and heart disease can then use this data to stay motivated to exercise and make healthier choices.
Similarly, smart scales can help patients monitor their weight and track their progress over time. This can help patients struggling with obesity to stay on track with their weight loss goals and make informed decisions about their diet and exercise.
3. Integration of Virtual Reality (VR) for Pain Reduction
Medical IoT devices are now being integrated with virtual reality (VR) to provide an immersive experience for patients dealing with chronic pain and discomfort.
Virtual reality systems for pain management create a simulated environment that can distract the patient’s mind from their pain and provide a more relaxing experience.
The virtual environments are generally calm nature settings, with additional features such as a narrator’s voice guiding the wearer, breathing exercises, and techniques for redirecting negative thoughts.
The strategies used in VR include mindfulness, meditation, guided imagery, or cognitive behavioral therapy, which all help to control stress and mood.
In the future, patients can use virtual reality systems during procedures such as wound care or chemotherapy, as well as during labor and delivery.
VR systems for pain management offer a non-invasive and drug-free alternative to traditional pain management techniques and have been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety, stress, and depression associated with chronic pain.
Moreover, in November 2021, the food and drug administration (FDA) approved a prescription-based VR device, RelieVRx, intended for the treatment of chronic low back pain to be marketed for home use.
The trials conducted by RelieVRx show a reduction of pain levels exceeding 50%.
4. Robotic Telesurgery
Medical Internet of Things (IoT) devices have the potential to revolutionize the field of surgery. By integrating IoT devices with robotic systems, surgeons can perform telesurgery, a technique that enables them to operate on patients remotely.
Medical IoT devices can transmit real-time data such as patient vital signs, surgical instruments, and images of the surgical site to the surgeon, allowing them to make precise and accurate decisions.
These medical IoT devices can communicate with robotic systems to adjust surgical instruments and provide tactile feedback to the surgeon.
This robotic telesurgery enables access to specialized surgical expertise in remote locations, improving surgical outcomes and reducing costs associated with surgery.
However, to ensure the safety and reliability of these systems, robust security and privacy measures must be implemented to protect patient data and prevent cyber-attacks.
5. Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have significantly contributed to the development of medical Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
AI and ML algorithms can be used to analyze the vast amounts of data generated by medical IoT devices, such as patient vital signs, medical imaging, and electronic health records.
This analysis can help to identify patterns and correlations in the data, leading to better diagnostic accuracy, treatment recommendations, and patient outcomes.
Moreover, AI and ML can be integrated with medical IoT devices to create predictive models that can anticipate and prevent health issues before they arise.
AI and ML are also being used to enhance the security and privacy of medical IoT devices, making them more resilient to cyber threats.
Conclusion
Looking ahead, one expects to see continued growth in the market for medical IoT devices in telehealth. As more healthcare providers adopt telehealth solutions and patients become more comfortable with remote care options, the demand for these devices is likely to increase.
Furthermore, advances in technology and data analytics will enable even more sophisticated monitoring and analysis of patient data, further improving healthcare outcomes and reducing costs.
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