Technology has already transformed the medical sector and it’s set to revolutionise it even further. The internet of things (IoT) is being adopted across a huge number of industries and medicine is no different. It’s next-generation technology that’s already being used in some medical settings around the world, but its use and influence is set to become far more important.

If you’re not convinced it’ll be affecting the way you work over the next decade, we’ve got five ways the IoT could soon be used every day in the world of healthcare.

  1. Patient tracker

The IoT could soon give doctors and other healthcare professionals access to real time information when patients are at home. For example, with the right devices in place, you’ll be able to see if an elderly patient has taken their prescribed medication. With a large portion of prescribed medicines not being taken correctly, the IoT could allow for resources to be used more effectively while benefiting patients.

  1. Portable diagnostics

Imagine being able to give patients portable diagnostic kits to be used at home that will directly transport the vital information to your system. It’s a method that’s set to become a reality in the near future thanks to the IoT. It’ll be far more convenient for patients, who won’t even need to leave their home, and can reduce demand for appointments and lengthy diagnostics, while still delivering insightful information.

  1. Patient movement within a hospital

In a busy hospital setting, tracking patient movement could provide useful information and speed up processes. Devices, such as a wearable wristband, that are connected to the IoT have a huge opportunity to provide practical data and act as an additional measure to safeguard patients. It’s a tech tool that can also be used to track occupancy, allowing for resources to be deployed quicker, cutting wait times.

  1. Tracking inventory

Managing hospital or medical practice inventory can be a huge challenge and add to expenses when mistakes occur. An IoT approach can build on existing processes by providing further information, such as real time locations, use, and where each product is at in its lifecycle.

  1. Improve preventive care

While care has improved enormously in the last decade alone, there’s a growing emphasis on preventive care, improving patient health and reducing the cost to the healthcare system. IoT devices enable patients to better track their health and understand changes they need to make – it could have a real impact on the way preventable illnesses are treated.

Do you envision the IoT being used in other ways within medicine, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic?