The recent rise in the popularity of fitness technology (i.e. smart watches and Fitbits) is beginning to show the impact that the Internet of Things (IoT) is having on the healthcare industry. However, these devices are only the beginning of the ways in which technology is revolutionizing healthcare.
Medical devices that transfer data—including data hubs, communication networks and microprocessors—are the driving force behind the intersection of the IoT and the healthcare system. There are privacy concerns, however, especially since keeping confidential patient data safe is a high priority—and currently a hot topic—as the healthcare industry explores further use of the IoT.
The ultimate goals of IoT integration in healthcare are to cut costs, to ensure the ill/injured are cared for properly and to help healthcare professionals become more efficient.