Using the Internet of Things in Telehealth
The development of telehealth in recent years has optimized medical operations by providing various medical services remotely. By reducing the need for transportation, the use of on-site equipment, and the possibility of cancellations or delays, telehealth increases efficiency for patients and healthcare professionals.

Today, the growing incorporation of the Internet of Things (IoT) has contributed to the further development of telehealth technologies. In fact, Future Market Insights predicts that the global healthcare IoT market will grow by 18.0% year-on-year, from $181.4 billion (€177.9 billion) in 2022 to $952.3 billion (€934.1 billion) until 2023.

If you want to see how IoT has been incorporated into telehealth and what its benefits are, read on. Advantages of IoT in telehealth processes
IoT refers to physical devices that use technologies such as sensors and processing capabilities to collect data and facilitate its communication with other systems over the Internet. When applied to telehealth, these devices can function as remote patient monitoring devices, fitness and wellness trackers, and medication reminders.

One of the biggest benefits is increased accessibility for patients, especially the elderly and disabled. Wheel’s article on how telehealth can help make health care more accessible points out that the time and stress of getting to and from a doctor’s appointment can discourage the elderly and those with mobility issues from maintaining consistent treatment. IoT-enabled telehealth devices can reduce the frequency of trips to the healthcare facility by automating the monitoring process. IoT can also reduce the burden on healthcare professionals, as telemedicine technology can enable healthcare providers to serve more patients. Project Hope says there will be a global shortage of 80 million health workers by 2030. This seriously compromises the ability to respond to patient needs. However, IoT in telehealth can shorten clinic visits, prevent emergency treatment through remote sensing, and enable more efficient access to patient data. It also reduces the chance of transmission of viruses such as seasonal flu or colds, keeping patients and health providers safe.