The Internet of Medical Things: is it helpful in a pandemic?

What is it about?

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is a way of describing the 'smart' objects that use online connectivity to measure, track, and report on human medical data. It includes the remote / wireless platforms that collect and store patient data. These platforms are used by doctors and medical experts to make healthcare decisions, including some of the decisions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. This summary of things to do with the IoMT helps explain the developments and challenges in the field of smart healthcare. It explains how the IoMT works, and covers some of the hardware and software it uses. It also explores questions of patient privacy and data security, and suggests ways to eliminate breaches and reduce damage.

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Photo by Gabriel Benois on Unsplash

Photo by Gabriel Benois on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Social distancing has become the new norm after the advent of COVID-19. This has emphasized the need for smart healthcare systems that require minimum-to-no human interaction. It has also underlined the importance of real-time monitoring of patient health during large-scale drug trials. IoMT devices can record and store health data such as blood pressure, oxygen levels, and ECGs, along with real-time monitoring of the patient's condition. This allows authorized health professionals to make data-driven decisions, even remotely, in case of a medical emergency. The scope of IoMT can further be expanded to provide elderly or disabled people a better quality of life with the help of AI assistance and robots. KEY TAKEAWAY: The cost of healthcare services is growing worldwide. Developing the IoMT and addressing its shortcomings will help ensure better medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.