Doctors: 3 Key Reasons to Adopt Internet of Things(IoT) based HealthCare

As a doctor, you know the rapid emergence of ‘smart health & wellness device’ technologies with a non-invasive flavour coupled with IoT, Smartphones, Internet & Wi-Fi will radically alter the health & wellness agenda.  As an IoT practitioner over the past few years and a Coursera student undergoing the ‘Social Marketing Specialization’ online course run by Professor Randy Hlavac of Northwestern University, I have found two articles that clearly articulate the importance of embracing IoT based HealthCare.

The first article published by Deloitte University Press, titled “No appointment necessary: How IoT and patient-generated data can unlock healthcare value” by RJ Krawiec, Jessica Nadler, Peter Kinchley, Elan Tye & Jennifer Jarboe talks about how healthcare providers  by adopting IoT based HealthCare can bring about a transformational shift in the way healthcare is delivered. The article goes on to describe how Patient-Generated Data(PGD) via ‘smart health & wellness device’ technologies can positively impact specific areas of healthcare & wellness, such as Short Term Care(at home), Chronic Disease Management and Senior Citizens(living independently). The article also discusses some of the challenges that will be faced in the adoption of such IoT based HealthCare too.

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The second article written by Vijayakannan Sermakani of Robert Bosch Engineering and Business Ltd, titled “Transforming healthcare through the Internet of Things” echoes the same sentiment as the first article.  Interestingly, this article presents case studies on how the digital divide in healthcare can be narrowed by adoption of such technologies in a rural setting as also refugee camps. The author also presents a simple and clear roadmap for adoption of such technologies in a phased manner.

Based on the two articles and my experience in the IoT field, I have listed 3 KEY REASONS for doctors to whole-heartedly adopt IoT based HealthCare:-
      

·     Rich Patient Data – PGD provides an opportunity for healthcare providers to gain access to valuable patient data outside of a clinical setting which in turn can lead to better health outcomes

·       Empower Patients – Patients can now be motivated to be more proactive about their health by adopting the self-monitoring/DIY approach

·        Digital Inclusiveness – Doctors can now have a more powerful societal impact by reaching out to the less fortunate members of our society via virtual care options

Starting today, you need to examine how IoT based HealthCare can have a meaningful impact on your patients, your clinical practice and our society as a whole.

My name is Shamsheer Ahmed and I am currently a Coursera student at Northwestern University undergoing the ‘Social Marketing Specialization’ online course. I am also a very active supporter of entrepreneurial activity in diverse fields such as IoT, Health & Wellness, ecommerce, Social Media & others. Please feel free to connect with me at @shamsheerahmed.