There is no doubt that the future of healthcare is tied securely to the Internet of Things (IoT). While healthcare technology has always been on the rise, the global pandemic has accelerated digital medical device usage into the mainstream with patients and providers alike. The Medical IoT now influences all aspects of medical care – from diagnosis, measurement, and monitoring to surgery and patient care.
What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
The “Internet of Things,” or IoT, is the term that describes all the interconnected devices that work together to gather and disseminate information across the Internet. It includes an ever-expanding number of technical products that includes smartphones, smart watches, smart home devices, smart refrigerators that create your customized grocery lists, and basically any Internet-connected device.
Tech giant Cisco defines the Internet of Things as more of a level we have reached than a group of interconnected devices. According to this company, around 2008-2008, we reached, “the point in time when more ‘things or objects’ were connected to the Internet than people.” According to Cisco, that point was reached around 2008-2009. Since then, we have far surpassed that mark, with more than 4 billion web users compared to approximately 7 billion devices connected to the Internet in 2018.
And it keeps on growing. The IoT is expected to reach 75 billion devices by 2025.
What About Medical IoT?
Medical IoT is perhaps the most rapidly growing segment of the IoT, as technology is used in more ways to serve patients and use information. This means big bucks for everyone involved.
- The healthcare IoT market is expected to be worth 534.3 billion by 2025.
- The health industry is responsible for 6% of global IoT projects, with 55% of those occurring in the Americas.
- 50% of healthcare IoT is used for remote operation and control, and 47% connect their devices to location-based services.
- By 2021, the IoT Healthcare market will reach a net worth of $136 billion.
Medical IoT has exploded onto the scene, revolutionizing how physicians and medical organizations provide care – from diagnosis, measurement, and monitoring to surgery and patient care. Take a look at these amazing examples.
- Symptom-tracking apps that monitor temperature, heart rate, movement, and other vital signs
- Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure cuffs to automatically record blood pressure readings
- Continuous, automatic glucose monitoring
- Depression and mood monitoring
- Connected inhalers for asthma or COPD
- Connected contact lenses
- Robotic surgery technology
- Ingestible sensors
How do consumers view this expansion of Medical IoT technology? The numbers indicate the public is basically positive.
- Worldwide, an average of 12% of people said they currently used a connected health device, with a further 12% saying they had formerly used one.
- 74% of people believe that sharing lifestyle information becomes more palatable if it is seen as a way to help physicians treat people more effectively, with some people in this group being willing to share dietary and exercise information if they could receive tailored information back.
- 50% of people would be comfortable contacting their physician digitally.
- 55% of consumers would share information digitally if it resulted in cost savings.
- 68% of physicians say that at-home diagnostic testing will help to drive better outcomes for patients.
- 67% of physicians believe smartphone apps that record health and fitness data will deliver better outcomes.
- Wearable technology devices are the second most popular use of IoT.
- 28.3 million wearable devices were sold in 2016. IDC predicted a 31% growth to 82.5 million by 2020.
Get Connected with MHO
Healthcare practices and organizations are realizing the vital importance of fast, reliable, and secure connectivity and networking for their continued viability. MHO works with numerous industries to provide Fixed Wireless Internet and Networking solutions, including healthcare. Our guaranteed reliability, low latency, scalable bandwidth, secure networking, fast installation, and superior customer service are ideally suited for fast-paced healthcare practices and organizations.
Call us today at (877) WANT MHO or connect with us online to check availability of our Fixed Wireless Internet and Networking for healthcare operations in your area, or to inquire about future expansion locations near you.
