As beneficial as IoMT is, its effectiveness is always contingent on the current network infrastructure. It can run on cellular networks, LPWAN, LAN/PAN, or Bluetooth, among other networks. While 4G has been a great accelerant for the development of IoT technology, 5G promises an even better boost in adoption.
It will facilitate faster data transfer and communication, which could further open up new ways to deploy IoMT. Here’s how 5G will boost IoMT deployment:
1.Facilitate quick data transfers
Some medical procedures require a lot of data to be transferred between two points. For instance, MRIs are large files, and it can take hours to send them over a low-bandwidth network. 5G could slash the time taken sending the same data by a huge portion. This means faster service delivery, saving more lives in the process.
2.Empowering telemedicine
Telemedicine is helpful in instances where in-person patient attendance is impossible. However, video-based consultations need a lot of bandwidth to facilitate, and 5G could make the whole process smooth.
3.Reliable, real-time patient monitoring
IoMT devices have been instrumental in monitoring patient health as well as identifying treatment options. When used right, it can help physicians be proactive in preventing diseases. 5G ensures uninterrupted and streamlined patient monitoring.
4.Promoting advancements in AI
IoT devices and AI have a mutual relationship. AI shapes the future of IoMT devices and can be used to collect data, analyze it, and provide valuable insights. With 5G, the growth and use of AI can be accelerated, further increasing the effectiveness of IoMT devices.
5.Supporting medical research
Technologies like AR and VR have been used sparingly in the health industry. They can provide suitable platforms for researching treatments in a non-invasive way. For instance, when combined with IoT devices, these technologies can be instrumental in simulating complex medical scenarios to identify possible solutions. With the kind of fast and reliable connectivity 5G offers, actualizing these use scenarios will be much easier.