Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) in e-clinics: Enabling connected healthcare in smart cities

The global pandemic has highlighted the interconnectivity between individuals and the impact of community well-being on individual health. However, our health systems have predominantly focused on individual needs. An emerging trend that is likely to gain momentum is the concept of smart cities, which involves integrating public health and well-being into urban design while addressing the underlying factors that influence health outcomes: social, environmental, and economic determinants.

Next-generation smart city healthcare development relies on sophisticated interconnectivity as a fundamental element. By leveraging data and digital connectivity, a smart city can revolutionize healthcare delivery. Integration and interoperability across various essential services such as public safety, housing quality, environmental health, social services, emergency services, and transportation can make healthcare smarter. This is where the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) plays a significant role. The Internet of Things (IoT) has the potential to enhance treatment, expedite recovery, and reduce time and costs for healthcare professionals. Through connected systems, data can be collected to monitor, inform, and alert caregivers and healthcare providers, enabling early intervention. Moreover, these systems can also extend monitoring capabilities beyond the hospital setting, acting as external observation tools. By predicting and addressing potential issues before they manifest, valuable data can be fed back into a central system, allowing medical experts to analyze patterns and gain insights for improving future healthcare practices.

Connected Health – Growth and Acceleration

The Connected Health field has experienced significant growth and advancement, primarily driven by the rapid evolution of Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Building upon the foundation of Mobile Health (mHealth) and Telemedicine solutions developed over the years, today’s connected health leverages IoT to connect intelligent sensors, devices, software, and networks via the Internet. Within the healthcare sector, this application of IoT technology is referred to as the Internet of Things in Healthcare or the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). It serves as a transformative technology for a new era of personalized, data-driven preventive medicine. By creating a network of interconnected devices, the IoMT enables the real-time sensing and communication of health-related data, facilitating highly personalized and actionable insights.

According to a report by MarketResearch.com, the Internet of Things in Healthcare market is projected to reach $117 billion by 2020. While the healthcare industry has traditionally been slow to adopt innovation and embrace change, several compelling factors are driving progress in the realm of Connected Health, indicating a shift towards inevitability.

How IoMT can make a Real Difference in Smart Cities

Connected Health through IoMT devices holds immense potential for improving the management and health outcomes of patients with complex and chronic diseases. In smart city settings, IoMT devices can play a crucial role in promoting health equity. Here’s how:

Remote Patient Monitoring: IoMT enables continuous remote monitoring of vital signs, medication adherence, and disease progression. Real-time monitoring allows healthcare providers to intervene proactively, identify early warning signs, and provide timely interventions. This leads to improved patient outcomes and reduced hospitalizations.

Telemedicine and Telehealth: IoMT facilitates virtual consultations, remote diagnosis, and telemedicine services. Secure connectivity allows healthcare professionals to remotely examine patients, offer consultations, and monitor their progress. This improves access to healthcare in underserved areas and reduces the burden on healthcare facilities.

Chronic Disease Management: IoMT devices, such as wearable sensors and smart implants, enable continuous monitoring of chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory disorders. Real-time data collection and alerts to healthcare providers enable proactive interventions and personalized treatment plans.

Medication Management: IoMT solutions improve medication adherence through smart pill dispensers, wearable devices, and mobile apps. These technologies remind patients to take their medication, track compliance, and provide data to healthcare providers, leading to better medication management and reduced errors.

Data Analytics and Predictive Analytics: The data generated by IoMT devices can be leveraged for advanced analytics and predictive modeling. Healthcare providers can identify trends, predict disease outbreaks, optimize resource allocation, and personalize treatment plans based on individual patient data.

Operational Efficiency: IoMT applications streamline healthcare operations by automating administrative tasks, optimizing resource utilization, and improving workflow processes. This results in cost savings, increased productivity, and improved overall efficiency in healthcare delivery.

Way Ahead

The Connected Health ecosystem is in a constant state of evolution, driven by advancements in smart sensors, connected devices, communication infrastructure, software, and apps. This ecosystem has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by shifting the focus from treating diseases and managing symptoms to a proactive approach centered on prevention and empowering individuals to take charge of their own health. Through continuous near real-time or real-time data collection, Connected Health can drive patient-centered care and ultimately benefit all stakeholders involved. In the context of smart cities, Connected Health holds the promise of improving the availability, delivery, and affordability of healthcare services over time. By leveraging the capabilities of Connected Health, smart cities can transform the healthcare landscape and create a future where healthcare is more accessible, efficient, and personalized for everyone involved.