A man with a heart condition must regularly track his pulse, blood pressure and other daily activity. An implanted device in his body accomplishes this from the comfort of his home and with minimal management. If the numbers look concerning, the device sends a message to his smartphone as well as to his physician. The cause — too much fast-paced walking — is diagnosed and fixed with no intervention.
Throughout the entire process, the patient remains at home, never needing to pay an in-person visit to his doctor. No direct medical attention is ever needed. He is, therefore, spared the stress of transportation, waiting times, and unnecessary additional tests. This ideal medical situation is becoming a common one among all types of patients and is made possible by the Internet of Things (IoT).
The Internet of Things — i.e., the web-enabled connection of everyday devices — has become increasingly common. Voice commands, automation and electronic interactions can accomplish daily functions that usually require manual human labor, from vacuuming the floor, sending emails, adjusting thermostats, or using Google.
In 2011, before the smartwatch and fitness tracker entered the commercial market, the number of internet-connected devices worldwide outnumbered the people who possessed them. By 2020, the Federal Trade Commission predicts that there will be 50 billion internet-connected devices ranging from cars to toasters to pet monitors, cameras, and many others. By 2021, Tractica predicts that wearable devices will surpass 97.6 million. IoT’s prominence in our society is only going to increase.
Read more about IoT and its impact on healthcare.