Is IoT disruption the future of health care?

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The term IoT (Internet of Things) is relatively new, only about 20 years old, but the concept is much older and goes back to the 70s. IoT is a network of interconnected devices that collect and share data. IoT has grown and morphed into something we simply cannot live without. Everything we do is connected to IoT, from our mobile phones to even our home surveillance cameras. IoT is projected to grow at a rate of 12% every year and will have swollen to a massive 125 billion devices by the year 2030!

How is IoT disrupting the health care industry? How is IoT revolutionizing how doctors treat patients today and in the near future? Let’s look at a few of these disruptions:

Augmented surgery

Who would have thought that augmented reality, would actually be utilized in the health sector? Augmented surgery allows a surgeon a sneak peek into a patient’s anatomy to pinpoint the problem before making an actual incision. This goes a long way into ensuring the correct diagnosis is arrived at before going into surgery by allowing the doctors to look at a patient’s bones, muscles and other organs in 3D before the actual surgery. This minimizes multiple surgeries as the doctors are able to tell exactly what is wrong.

Artificial intelligence and robotics

The idea of robotics and AI in the health sector is not new and has been around since the 1980s. The idea to build robots that could perform precision surgery was already there. In as much as there have been advancements in AI and robotics, the beauty of robotics is having intelligent machines that can operate independently, sans human beings.

The robots of the 21st century will not take the place of skilled health giver, but rather complement their efforts by providing:

• Precision and accuracy improvement in surgery

• Precision in diagnosis

• Additional help where needed such as when hospitals are understaffed

• Support of daily tasks especially in eldercare

Remote care

Remote care is also known as Telehealth or telecare for the connection it has with telecommunication. This type of care works well via communicating either through the telephone or the internet. This is where IoT swings into full action. The elderly need to have constant monitoring and care, and while one cannot be there full time to check on them, remote care becomes a necessity.

Remote care spares you and your elderly loved ones the task of having to keep making physical trips to the doctor. The vital signs of the patient are monitored via mobile devices and have automatic alerts that alert the medics in case of any emergencies such as strokes.

3D printing

In several years to come, bioprinting will be a reality. Bioprinting involves the layering of live cells via computer-aided pipes to create a living organ. This will revolutionize the health sector, with all the people worldwide who are in dire need of organs not having to wait for a compatible organ donor to be available. This will also greatly reduce hospital costs and will save precious time.

Cybersecurity woes

As with every device that accesses the internet, the worry of hacking is always lurking in the shadows. Installing a VPN is the only way to stay secure. It would be disastrous if a hacker gained access to an implant such as a pacemaker system and injected malware into it. A VPN ensures that any device you use to connect to the internet provides a secure channel and you can use the internet incognito. Any malicious person who tries to gain entry or snoop is firmly kept out, ensuring you can use the IoT devices safely.

Conclusion

The idea of a world where robots perform surgery and keep the elderly company is not farfetched. At the rate technology is advancing, the reality of AI is dawning upon us. There could be a future where all one needs is a 3D printing of an organ, thus saving precious time and avoiding costly hospital expenses. IoT is the future, but the future as to be protected from malicious malware. Where IoT is, VPN should never be too far behind.