The central aim of this research study is to lay the foundations of a basic model of IoT for healthcare service providers that can help empower the overall healthcare management practices. This central aim has been tied up with the following core objectives;
1. To conduct an extensive contextual research on the application and impact of Internet of Things across a variety of healthcare settings.
2. To indulge in primary research and gain insight from industry professionals that are already implementing or utilizing Internet of Things to take care of certain specific operations.
3. To identify the measurable impacts that Internet of Things has had on the healthcare industry.
4. To identify best practices with regards to application of Internet of Things in healthcare.
5. To develop a foundational model of Internet of Things encompassing a set of devices that can be directly implemented into healthcare operations.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Introduction
Application of IoT to Healthcare
Summary of Findings
Chapter 3: Background Research
Introduction
Sampling
Primary Research Findings from Group 1
Primary Research Findings from Group 2
Chapter 4: Requirements
Introduction
Project Scope
Business Case
Key Stakeholders
Product Functions
Constraints
Assumptions
Dependencies
Chapter 5: Design
Introduction
Project Design
Problem Definition
Goal Setting
Design of the End-Product
Sensing Layer
Transport Layer
Application Layer
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary aim of this research is to establish a foundational model for Internet of Things (IoT) applications in healthcare to enhance management practices and service quality. The study explores how IoT can facilitate better communication, monitor chronic conditions, and streamline medical data flow between patients and healthcare professionals.
- Application and impact of IoT in various healthcare environments.
- Primary research insights from industry professionals regarding IoT implementation.
- Measurable improvements in healthcare efficiency and patient outcomes.
- Identification of best practices for IoT integration in the medical sector.
- Development of a foundational IoT-based model for healthcare operations.
Excerpt from the Book
Sensing Layer
As evident from Figure 5, the Sensing Layer comprises of an array of sensors attached to the body of the patient either through IoT sensing devices, or conventional sensing devices such as a Fitness band that measures heart rate, pulse rate, blood sugar / glucose levels and motion sensors. The sensing layer – with sensor IoT devices – is connected via a Bluetooth Area Network ‘BAN’ to a nearby computer system / laptop / Tablet / Smartphone with an in-built App that serves as an information exchange database. The nearby computer / laptop / tablet or Smartphone is in turn connected to a Wireless LAN network or a 4G-LTE network that connects the Doctors’ / Nurses’ smart devices with the same App installed on their devices. The Sensing Layer then detects, records and shares real-time health monitoring statistics while communicating these statistics over the BAN network to the computer system / laptop / tablet or smartphone with the App. For example, a heart patient admitted to the hospital will be wearing a heart-sensing fitness device connected via Bluetooth the transport layer and eventually connected to the physician’s / nurse practitioners, notifying them that there is a sudden increase in the heart rate of the patient, signifying high blood pressure.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter outlines the motivation for improving healthcare quality through IoT and defines the core objectives of the research study.
Chapter 2: Literature Review: This section provides an empirical overview of past research regarding IoT applications in healthcare, focusing on chronic disease management and existing system models.
Chapter 3: Background Research: This chapter details the methodology and primary research findings obtained through semi-structured surveys and interviews with healthcare professionals and IoT developers.
Chapter 4: Requirements: This chapter specifies the foundational project requirements and defines the stakeholders and constraints for the proposed IoT-backed healthcare prototype.
Chapter 5: Design: This chapter presents the system architecture of the final product, including the detailed breakdown of the sensing, transport, and application layers.
Keywords
Internet of Things, IoT, Healthcare, Electronic Health Records, E-HR, Wireless Body Area Network, WBAN, Chronic Disease Management, Diabetes, Clinical Information Systems, Quality of Service, QoS, Remote Monitoring, Patient Safety, Healthcare Innovation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on the impact and application of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the healthcare sector, specifically aiming to build a foundational model to improve management practices and patient services.
What are the primary themes addressed?
Central themes include chronic disease management, the role of wearable devices, improvement of clinical communication, and the reduction of human error through automation.
What is the ultimate goal of the study?
The primary goal is to determine the impacts of IoT on healthcare and to propose a functional prototype that can serve as a foundation for future, larger-scale practical implementations.
Which research methods were employed?
The study utilizes an exploratory research design, incorporating a literature review and primary qualitative research via semi-structured questionnaires and online interviews with professionals.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the state of existing literature, primary findings from two distinct groups of experts (healthcare professionals and developers), project requirements, and the technical system design.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Key terms include IoT, Healthcare, E-HR, WBAN, Clinical Information Systems, QoS, and Remote Monitoring.
How is the sensing layer defined?
The sensing layer consists of body-attached sensors (such as fitness bands or heart rate monitors) that collect real-time medical data and transmit it via Bluetooth to local devices.
What is the purpose of the transport layer?
The transport layer acts as the communication medium, utilizing BAN and WLAN technologies to move the data collected by sensors to the application layer where it can be analyzed by professionals.
What is the role of the application layer?
This layer provides the Graphical User Interface (GUI) and the remote database, allowing physicians and nurses to view real-time patient data and take necessary clinical actions.
Why are chronic conditions like diabetes a specific focus?
Chronic conditions are prioritized because they require long-term, routine monitoring, making them ideal use cases for IoT devices to improve efficiency and patient self-management.
- Quote paper
- Yasir Khan (Author), 2017, Impact of Internet of Things on the Healthcare Sector, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/411990
