International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 6 Issue 3, March-April 2022 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

Applications of IoT in Healthcare

Matthew N. O. Sadiku1, Uwakwe C. Chukwu2, Abayomi Ajayi-Majebi3, Sarhan M. Musa1
1
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
2
Department of Engineering Technology, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC, USA
3
Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Central State University, Wilberforce, OH, USA

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Matthew N. O.

The emergence of the Internet of things has attracted the attention of Sadiku | Uwakwe C. Chukwu | Abayomi
governments, research scholars, healthcare, and business community Ajayi-Majebi | Sarhan M. Musa
all over the world. In the healthcare system, the motivation for using "Applications of IoT in Healthcare"
IoT is to offer promising solutions for efficiently delivering all kinds Published in
International Journal
of medical healthcare services to patients at an affordable cost. IoT
of Trend in
could be a game-changer for healthcare services. It makes it now Scientific Research
possible to process data and remotely monitor a patient in real-time. and Development
IoT is important in healthcare because of the services it provides. (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-
These services enhance the quality and efficiency of care treatments 6470, Volume-6 | IJTSRD49675
which benefit patients, doctors, nurses, and hospitals in a great way. Issue-3, April 2022,
This chapter covers various applications of IoT in healthcare and pp.1114-1126, URL:
their benefits and challenges. www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd49675.pdf

KEYWORD: healthcare, Internet, Internet of things, benefits, Copyright © 2022 by author (s) and
challenges, global adoption International Journal of Trend in
Scientific Research and Development
Journal. This is an
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distributed under the
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Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)

INTRODUCTION
The healthcare industry has been a major contributor “things” to connect anytime, anywhere using a variety
to revenue and employment. It is an essential service of wired or wireless communication networks. It has
sector which has ubiquitous demand worldwide. It become an integral part of modern society. It will
meets the basic need of every individual in the have its presence in all sectors of human lives
modern society. The healthcare system consists of including healthcare. The market for the IoT in
patients, medical institutions, and healthcare healthcare is growing steadily. IoT healthcare helps in
resources to deliver healthcare services to meet effectively managing health and thus improving the
human health needs. Unfortunately, the system is quality of life. The central concept of the Internet of
overwhelmed with problems such as expensive things is to connect anything, anytime, and anywhere
services, overworked doctors and nurses, illegitimate through Internet [2].
patient diagnoses, the growing rate of the aging
This chapter provides uses of IoT in the healthcare
population, increasing global demand for medical
domain. It begins by presenting an overview on IoT.
services, rise in the number of chronic diseases, and
It discusses Internet of medical things. It covers
living environments with poor health [1]. In addition,
various applications of IoT in healthcare. It addresses
present approaches used for monitoring a patient in
some benefits and challenges of IoT in healthcare.
hospitals are time consuming. The Internet of things
The chapter concludes with some comments.
(IoT) (also known as Future Internet) can resolve
these issues quite well. OVERVIEW ON INTERNET OF THINGS
The term “Internet of things” was introduced by
The Internet has evolved to be an ever more pervasive
Kevin Ashton from the United Kingdom in 1999.
and critical infrastructure connecting society and
Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of connecting
enabling global commerce. It allows people and
devices embedded with sensors. It is a collection of

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identifiable things with the ability to communicate Safety: Internet of things devices should ensure
over wired or wireless networks. It is the global the safety of individual life. All medical smart
interconnection of several heterogeneous devices. The devices are a good example of this characteristic.
devices or things can be connected to the Internet
IoT supports many input-output devices such as
through three main technology components: physical camera, microphone, keyboard, speaker, displays,
devices and sensors (connected things), connection
microcontrollers, and transceivers. It is the most
and infrastructure, and analytics and applications. promising trend in the healthcare industry. This
Figure 1 show the objectives of IoT [3].
rapidly proliferating collection of Internet-connected
The IoT, also known as the Internet of Objects or the devices, including wearables, implants, skin sensors,
Web of Objects, is a worldwide network that connects smart scales, smart bandages, and home monitoring
devices to the Internet and to each other using tools has the potential to connect patients and their
wireless technology. It has been gaining popularity providers in a unique way.
rapidly since its inception into the IT community and Today, smartphone acts as the main driver of IoT.
is being used in healthcare, education, gaming,
The smartphone is provided with healthcare
finance, transportation, and several more. The applications.
healthcare industry is among the fastest to adopt the
Internet of things. IoT is expanding rapidly and it has The narrowband version of IoT is known as
been estimated that 50 billion devices will be narrowband IoT (NBIoT). This is an attractive
connected to the Internet by 2020. These include technology for many sectors including healthcare
smart phones, tablets, desktop computers, because it has been standardized [7]. The main
autonomous vehicles, refrigerators, toasters, feature of NBIoT is that it can be easily deployed
thermostats, cameras, pet monitors, alarm systems, within the current cellular infrastructure with a
home appliances, insulin pumps, industrial machines, software upgrade.
intelligent wheelchairs, wireless sensors, mobile In healthcare system, the motivation of using modern
robots, etc. technologies such as IoT is to offer promising
There are four main technologies that enable IoT [4]: solutions for efficiently delivering all kinds of
1. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near- medical healthcare services to patients at affordable
field communication. cost. It makes it now possible to process data and
2. Optical tags and quick response codes. remotely monitor a patient in real time [8]. IoT has
3. Bluetooth low energy (BLE). been identified as a technological solution to some
4. Wireless sensor network. medical challenges. Through the IoT, anything in the
healthcare system can be identified and monitored
Other related technologies are cloud computing,
anytime anywhere. A typical IoT healthcare system is
machine learning, and big data.
shown in Figure 3 [9]. Such system is also known as
Figure 2 depicts the general applications of IoT [5]. health-IoT or H-IoT. IoT in healthcare also helps in
The concept of IoT has some the following [10]:
Reducing emergency room wait time
characteristics [6]:
Keeping patients safe and healthy
Interconnected: Internet of things facilitates
Ensuring availability of critical hardware
people to devices and devices to other devices.
Saving doctor’s time and work
Smart sensing: The majority of devices and Enabling nurses, doctors, and other team
actuators have embedded or connected sensors to members to connect and communicate in real
detect current conditions. time.
Intelligence: IoT devices have some calculating Receiving critical information at the point of care
units and software used for smart decisions, without unnecessary alerts
predictions and automation control. The healthcare sector has adopted various IoT
Energetical efficiency: All IoT devices must be solutions by creating the Internet of medical things
efficient and able to use recyclable energy, boost (IoMT), be discussed next.
own energy harvesting, if the application of INTERNET OF MEDICAL THINGS
device requires and allows it. The Internet of things in healthcare is variably
Data sharing: IoT connected devices have the referred to as IoT-MD, IoMT, Medical IoT, mIoT,
capability to express and share their current state and IoHT. Internet of medical things (IoMT), a
to all other connected devices. healthcare application of the IoT technology, has
emerged as a combination of advanced medical

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sensing system, computer communication biotechnology products. The main goal is to enhance
technologies. The sensing systems include RFID, quality of life using these technologies. This section
GPS, and wireless sensor networks. IoMT enables deals with emerging technologies in healthcare.
machine-to-machine interaction and real time IoT-based healthcare includes cognitive computing,
intervention solutions which are helping the microwave, voice search, voice recognition, chatbots,
healthcare industry increase its delivery, affordability, social media, blockchain, 3D telepresence
reliability, and productivity [11]. When connected to technology, 3D printing, wireless technology, mobile
the Internet, ordinary medical devices become smart technology, 3D ultrasound, biometrics, geneticsand
and can collect more data, give insight into trends, genomics, electronic health records, and magnetic
enable remote care, and give patients more control. resonance imaging (MRI). Among so many
For example, IoT devices can be used for reminding technologies, some of the prominent ones are as
patients about appointments, when to take follows [16,17]:
medications, changes in blood pressure, calories
burnt, and much more [12]. An illustration of IoMT is Wireless and Mobile Technology: This
shown in Figure 4 [13]. technology would allow medical practice from
anywhere, anytime, and from any device. It is
IoMT devices can sense real-time data for patient touching virtually every aspect of our lives.
monitoring. Such devices are used to monitor Mobile devices include tablets and smartphone.
parameters such as blood pressure, random blood
The use of mobile devices in the healthcare is a
sugar levels, and weight. IoMT will promote recent update, and it is still in infancy. It has the
personalized care and high standard of living. potential for managing chronic illnesses of the
Technologies used in IoMT can be divided into the aging population. The rise of the Internet age and
three technical classes: local patient systems and the proliferation of smart devices have brought
controls; device connectivity and data management; profound changes for the practice of medicine.
and analytics solutions [14]. IoMT technology
includes remote patient monitoring and medical Wearable Technology: This technology allows
system management. Smartphones are increasingly wearing light-weight sensors unobtrusively using
used as integral parts of IoMT. Various medical regular clothes. Wearable gadgets can screen
Internet of things platforms have been built for patient person’s physiological capacities 24 hours every
information management, telemedicine monitoring, day. 3D printing innovation is arriving at the
and mobile medical [15]. improvement of wearable gadgets. The significant
concern is that wearable gadgets present issues
IoMT is the technology that embeds wireless sensors with client protection and security.
in medical equipment, combines with the Internet and
integrates with hospitals and patients. It is 3D Printing: 3D printing (3DP) is the method for
transforming healthcare industry by increasing creating three-dimensional strong items from an
efficiency, lowering costs, and improving patient advanced model. It has been viewed as one of the
quality of care and safety. The doctors can break the mainstays of the third modern upset. From that
limit of the geographical scope and provide medical point forward, it has been utilized in assembling,
education for medical personnel in remote areas. car, gadgets, avionics, aviation, buyer items,
training, amusement, medication, concoction, and
Medical devices present unique IoT challenges. These
gems businesses. Advantages of 3DP in human
include the broad range of medical technologies, the
services incorporate restorative items,
diversity of network protocols, critical security and
medications, and hardware; cost adequacy;
vulnerability, regulatory compliance imperatives
expanded profitability; the democratization of
resulting from the handling of patient data and
plan and producing; and improved coordinated
stakeholders with varied interests. Security is crucial
effort. Emergency clinics might make things on
in healthcare applications, especially in the case of
request, and this would fundamentally adjust the
patient privacy. Wearable sensors, for example, are
healthcare inventory network.
prone to expose patient information and patient
privacy. Augmented/Virtual Reality: Augmented reality
(AR) is an exceptionally intelligent, PC-based
EMERGING IOT TECHNOLOGIES media condition in which the client turns into the
Technology has always been an integral part of
member in a PC-created world. For instance,
healthcare delivery, enabling health practitioners to
careful understudies can utilize virtual overlays of
use various tools to detect, diagnose, treat, cure, and
the circulatory framework to help direct them
monitor patients. Typical examples of medical
during methods. Charging operators can utilize
technologies include medicines, medical devices, and

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“shrewd glasses” to see understanding protection Social Media: Advances in technology are
and charging data when they are away from their impacting the future of healthcare, being more
PCs. It can help lessen the measure of uneasiness social than ever before. The Internet has engaged
a patient is feeling when medical procedure. It people to share health data and associate utilizing
tends to be utilized to prepare specialists in a web-based social networking. Web-based life is
practical and generally safe mimicked condition. fundamentally online instruments utilized for PC
It offers remedial potential and restoration for interceded correspondence.
intense agony and nervousness issue.
It is an incredible asset that healthcare industry
Robotics: Robots have been playing an experts can exploit to convey and associate with
increasingly important role in our daily life. They patients. Although Internet-based life is as yet
are imperative in numerous enterprises. developing, it has had a significant effect on the
Mechanical autonomy manages the structure, healthcare service industry. These technologies are
development, activity, and use of robots. Robots selected because they pose both the risk of disruption
are turning into an indispensable piece of the and reward of reducing costs.
human service toolbox. Robots assume a
APPLICATIONS OF IoT IN HEALTHCARE
significant job in health services as they bring
Besides Internet of medical things, applications of
down the quantity of medicinal blunders and
IoT in healthcare are numerous, ranging from remote
improve human service conveyance. A wide
monitoring to smart sensors and medical device
scope of robots is created to fill various needs
integration. The applications benefit patients,
inside the healthcare condition.
families, nurses, and physicians. IoT healthcare is
This outcomes in different sorts of human service applicable in many medical instruments such as ECG
robots. A typical robot for complex surgery is shown monitors, glucose level sensing, and oxygen
in Figure 5 [18]. concentration detection. These various applications
provide solutions for the patient and health care
Cloud Computing: Computing is changing the
professionals. Thirteen common applications of IoT
way human service suppliers (specialists, centers,
and IoMT in healthcare are discussed here [19-28].
and medical clinics) convey administrations to
their patients. 1. Remote Monitoring: This is the most common
application of IoT devices in healthcare. IoT
It might give versatile and financially savvy human
devices allow healthcare professionals to monitor
service administrations.
their patients remotely. IoMT is an enabler for
Healthcare suppliers are progressively confronting remote monitoring for those in hard-to-reach
sharp challenge and are constrained support less. locations. Patient monitoring can be done in
They are quickly going to the cloud to address the hospitals and clinics. The IoMT employs
patient requirements. accelerometer sensor, visual sensor, temperature
Internet of Things (IoT): IoT permits all devices sensor, carbon dioxide sensor, ECG/EEG/EMG
to be associated with one another through wired sensor, pressure sensor, gyroscope sensor, blood
or remote correspondence. It has been for some oxygen saturation sensor, humidity sensor,
time anticipated that IoT-based healthcare respiration sensor, and blood pressure sensor to
services will upset the human service segment as observe and monitor the patient’s health in a
far as social advantages, infiltration, available continuous manner. MRIs, X-ray machines, CT
consideration, and cost proficiency. scanners, and other equipment can be remotely
monitored. Real-time monitoring can save lives in
Blockchain: This innovation comprises common event of a medical emergency like heart failure,
or disseminated database to keep up developing diabetes, asthma attacks, etc. Many patients
rundown of exchanges called blocks. With continuously wear medical sensor-based devices
blockchain (BC), exchange records are put away to monitor their health statistics. Fitness, health
and disseminated overall system members. electronics, and even smart watches have roles to
Blockchain in healthcare services will be in play in monitoring, providing feedback, and in
clinical preliminary records, administrative some cases a link to medical professionals.
consistence, and therapeutic records. The Remote monitoring translates into a greater
innovation can enable therapeutic specialists to number of patients worldwide having access to
improve and increasingly precise judgments and adequate healthcare. Continuous patient
endorse progressively powerful medications. monitoring provides the real-time tracking,
collects patient data, and wirelessly transmits for

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ongoing display. This increases operational difficult to forge and will serve as an effective
efficiency. counter-measure against medical fraud [25].
2. Glucose Monitoring: IoT devices can provide 7. Elderly Independent Living: Elderly people
continuous monitoring of glucose levels in living alone face serious challenges such as
patients. They can collect and transfer health data having an accident (such as a fall) and forgetting
such as: blood pressure, oxygen, and blood sugar to take their medication. IoT can allow the elderly
levels, weight, and ECGs. They can also report to maintain their independence while still getting
and analyze the data in real-time without the need the assistance they might need during an
to store the data. Diabetes has been a fertile emergency. RFID sensor systems are being
ground for developing smart devices. Such developed to support older people so that they
devices can help diabetics to continuously can safely stay independent. This application is
monitor their blood glucose levels for several important in view of an aging population. IoT
days. Another smart device for diabetes patients is applications can provide support for the elderly
the smart insulin pen, which can automatically by detecting the activities of daily living using
record the time, amount, and type of insulin wearable devices.
needed to correct a patients blood sugar level 8. Wearables Devices: Innovative devices, such as
[19]. IoT is an enabling tool for the development wearable devices, implantable chips, and
of smart devices such as smart CGMs embedded systems in biomedical devices have
(Continuous Glucose Monitors), smart insulin been developed to continuously track continuous
pens, Smart Fridge for vaccines, smart watches data on patient activity. Smart wearable devices
for depression. allow the transfer of patient personal information
3. Digital Hospital: Internet of things has broad between different devices. They support fitness,
application prospects in the field of medical health education, symptom tracking, and disease
information management. Currently, the demand management. They can be used to store health
for medical information management in hospitals records especially for patients with diabetes,
is in form of identification, sample recognition, cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, seizure
and medical record identification. With IoMT, disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease [26]. IoT has
hospital medical work is becoming increasingly introduced several wearables devices which have
intelligent, meticulous, and efficient. Smart made lives of patients comfortable. Advances in
devices and wearables are creating “hospitals biosensor technology make possible wearable
without walls,” where long-term care can be smart devices that monitor the user’s health. On-
delivered remotely. the-body IoMT sensors give patients freedom,
while maintaining close watch on their health
4. Cancer Treatment: Smart technology helps
conditions. Wearables devices have been
simplify care for both cancer patients and their
developed greatly and are considered reliable
oncologists. By using smart monitoring system,
tools for long-term health monitoring systems.
patients were able to effectively communicate
They have matured into products being worn by
with their oncologists the adverse effects of
patients, transmitting data to physicians and
chemotherapy and be quickly treated for them.
thereby allowing doctors to monitor vital signs in
5. Telemedicine: Telemedicine literally means real time.
“healing at a distance.” It is now regarded as the
9. Body Sensor Network (BSN): This technology
use of information and telecommunication
is another IoT development in healthcare system,
technology (ICT) to provide patients with
where a patient can be monitored using a
healthcare at a distance. It is a new fascinating
collection of tiny-powered and lightweight
development that enhances the level of medical
wireless sensor nodes. It is essentially a collection
services. Telemedicine holds the promise of
of intelligent, miniaturized wireless sensor nodes
significant changes within the healthcare industry
used in monitoring the human body functions and
since it offers an opportunity to attract and retain
surrounding environment. It opens the possibility
consumers.
for monitoring systems to operate wirelessly
6. Drug Anti-Counterfeiting: The amount of using low-cost wearable sensors [27,28].
counterfeit medicines in the world has increased
10. Robotic Surgery: The combination of IoT and
greatly and a lot of people die each year as a
robot is giving new solutions in the healthcare
result of wrong medication. The label attached to
industry. Doctors are using IoT enabled robotic
a product will have a unique identity that is very
devices to perform surgery. This enables doctors

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to perform the operation with more precision. The patient quality of care and safety. Figure 8 shows the
little robotic device can perform operations inside most popular benefits of IoT in healthcare [30].
the body of the patient. Robot in each patient’s Besides these, other benefits include [31-33]:
room can make the treatment more effective.
Quality: Integrating IoT features into healthcare
11. Home Medication: Monitoring and managing devices greatly improves the quality and
medications, ensuring that patients dose correctly effectiveness of service. It enables a radical
and on schedule is important. Smart home improvement of health care and quality of life.
medication dispensers automatically upload data IoT healthcare principles are already being
to the cloud when medication is not taken. These applied to improve access to care, increase the
devices can also store medication at proper quality of care, reduce the cost of care, reduce
temperatures to ensure viability. medical errors, to improve patient safety, and to
12. Medical Research: IoT can be used for medical optimize the healthcare processes.
research purposes because IoT enables us to Connectivity and Affordability: Connectivity
collect a massive amount of data about the lies at the heart of Internet of things. It is the
patient. This data can be used for studies that primary purpose of using IoT technology in
would support the medical research. Much of healthcare, i.e. connect doctors with patients
current medical research relies on resources through smart devices, without restrictions. The
lacking critical real-world information. Research IoT links the medical devices with the virtual
IoMT can be used for research purposes. IoMT worlds, thereby enabling anytime, anyplace
has a great impact in the field of medical research. connectivity for anything and not only for anyone.
IoT opens doors of opportunity for greater
13. Smart Devices: IoT is transforming the way we connectivity in healthcare.
interact with technologies and enabling smart
devices such as smart thermometer, smart diapers, Monitoring: Applications deliver care to people
smart contact lenses smart scales, smart bandages, in remote locations and real-time monitoring
smart inhaler, and smart watches. The use of systems that provide a stream of accurate data for
smart devices in healthcare has increased steadily. better care decision making [32]. IoT enables
For example, smart thermometer produced by real-time monitoring of connected smart medical
Kinsa can detect patient illness, provide analysis devices. Real-time monitoring can save lives in
for better care, and to map human illness. Figure event of a medical emergency like heart failure,
6 shows some wearable smart devices [28]. diabetes, asthma attacks, etc. [33].
Tracking: An healthcare facility needs to be able
Some of these applications are illustrated in
track all the devices and applications on the
Figure 7 [29]. Other applications of IoT include
network continuously. IoT and real-time location
personalized care, cancer treatment, ambient
systems facilitate asset tracking. This is an
assisted living, medical smart contact lenses,
inexpensive, effective method of monitoring and
ingestible sensors, insulin delivery, people with
tracking day-to-day activities in a hospital setting.
disabilities, hearables, tracking of objects and
The ability to enable location tracking of assets
persons, identification and authentication,
using sensor-based technology has created a
transport and data collection, disease
management, clinical care, personalized service which is known as location-as-a-service.
healthcare, continuous cardiac or heart-rate Lower Cost: The IoT in medical field results in
monitoring, asthma monitoring, hand hygiene the reduction in healthcare cost since doctors need
monitoring, depression and mood monitoring, not meet the patients physically.
body temperature monitoring, and Parkinson’s Local Activity Recording: Device recording
disease monitoring capabilities allow for the collection of data which
BENEFITS will vastly improve our understanding of the
Internet of things is a way of connecting devices to mechanism of action of these chronic diseases.
the Internet and to each other using wireless Automation: The automation of device and
networks. It is injected into everything in healthcare, therapy records decreases human error or
from X-ray machines to patient monitors. It creates fraudulent reporting.
new jobs and employment opportunities and bridges Precision Medicine: The IoT technology gives
traditional engineering, computer sciences, and health precise data and avoids human error. Targeted
care. It is transforming healthcare industry by stimulation is designed for an individual patient
increasing efficiency, lowering costs, and improving while decreasing negative side effects.

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CHALLENGES Energy: IoT consists of various low-power
Medical devices present some unique IoT challenges. embedded devices. IoT uses low-power lossy
There is also an ambiguity about data ownership and networks, which complicates security issues by
a lack of EHR integration. This allows adding an additional constrain, energy. Since an
attackers/hackers to wreak havoc on the network. energy source needs to supply each sensor in IoT,
Besides these, other challenges include [10, 34-37]: a tremendous amount of energy would be needed
to run thousands of these sensors. This is a
Data Security: Security is one of the forefront
serious challenge that IoT has to handle.
challenges because any platform connected to IoT
poses the risk of being insecure and open to Computation Power: IoMT devices have limited
hackers. Many businesses are wary of the security computation power. If a patient is using implanted
and privacy issues associated with IoT. IoT medical devices, it is not easy to recharge or
service providers need to be sure that their data is replace the devices immediately. Biosensors are
going to be safe. Increase in connected devices small devices with limited energy; if the devices
leads to an increase in endpoint vulnerability.
High Infrastructure Cost: The cost of building
Many IoT platforms consider security a core the IoMT infrastructure is enormous. Dedicated
element and work to ensure it.
IT health networks, blockchains, and cloud
Privacy: A significant challenge that IoT poses is platforms are all necessary. The initial cost for
of data security and privacy. The data that is setting up such systems is significant.
being shared across the IoT devices are sensitive. Cybersecurity: This is a concern in the medical
Wearable sensors, for example, are prone to field since it is vital to protect all sensitive
expose patient information and patient privacy.
information. This is perhaps the major reason the
Medical security and privacy issues directly industry would be taking a little more time
influence patient life and the healthcare system all adopting the technology. IoMT interconnectivity
over the world. leaves medical devices vulnerable to
Interoperability and Standards: IoT consists of cybersecurity breaches.
heterogeneous networks which connect all kinds Lack of Standardization: The lack of
of devices. Interoperability is the key to open standardization among IoMT manufacturers is a
markets to competitive solutions to IoT. The first
problem. Devices from different manufacturers
requirement of Internet connectivity is that are often not interoperable. As a heterogeneous
connected devices should be able to “talk the network system, the interconnection of different
same language” of protocols. This makes IoMT components is a main problem that needs
interoperability the most basic core value. to be solved.
Technology Infrastructure: Infrastructure is These are some major challenges that influence the
critical for emerging IoT applications. Most decision-making process of potential customers for a
businesses lack the infrastructure and network successful IoT implementation. Other challenges
components that huge volumes of IoT data
include cost, data integrity, data protection, laws and
require.
policies, insurance coverage, global misinformation
Workforce: Sometimes, there is not enough systems, global cooperation, intelligent data analytics,
technical skill to gain valuable insights from the big data problems, and quality of service issues
huge amount of data collected from IoT. [38,39]. In spite of the challenges, the adoption of IoT
Healthcare industry should hire experts with the continues to expand.
relevant IoT training.
CONCLUSION
Data Overload: The medical IoT generate The Internet of things (IoT) integrates physical
massive data which can be utilized to gain objects, software, and hardware to interact with each
insights and make smart decisions. The big data other. The era of the Internet of things has already
accumulated by IoT devices is a challenge for the started and it will drastically transform our way of
IoT data processing. life. The central concept of the Internet of things is to
connect anyone, anything, anytime, anyplace, any
High Investment Cost: The high initial costs in
IoT investments can intimidate small healthcare service, and any network. The Internet of things (IoT)
companies. But IoT costs are rapidly declining. is increasingly being recognized by different
The sensing devices such as RFID tags, sensors, industries. Healthcare is one of the major sectors
actuator, etc. can be designed to minimize cost. where IoT can have the most relevant economic and
social impact. The impact of IoT in healthcare has

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
been significant since it has opened up a world of survey,” Proceedings of the ACM Symposium
possibilities in healthcare. From adherence to on Women in Research, March 2016.
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applications, the healthcare industry is changing at
things and machine learning convergence: The
fast pace and is adopting the IoT rapidly. It is e-healthcare revolution,” Proceedings of the
changing the way healthcare is delivered. It has been
2nd International Conference on Computing
long predicted that IoT healthcare will revolutionize
and Wireless Communication Systems, Larache,
the healthcare sector in terms of social benefits,
Morocco, November 2017.
penetration, accessible care, and cost-efficiency. The
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extended benefits. benefits, and challenges,”
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However, the rapid growth of IoT has presented some
things-healthcare-applications-benefits-and-
significant challenges. IoT’s development has been challenges.html
restricted by the challenges. Security happens to be
the most prominent challenge for physicians [11] M. N. O. Sadiku, S. M. Musa, and S. Binzaid,
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Figure 1 Objectives of IoT [3].

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Figure 2 General applications of IoT [5].

Figure 3 A typical IoT healthcare system [9].

Figure 4 The Internet of medical things [13].

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Figure 5 A typical robot for complex surgery [18].

Figure 6 Some wearable smart devices [28].

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Figure 7 Some applications of IoT in healthcare [29].

Figure 8 The most popular benefits of IoT in healthcare [30].

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