Smart cities are currently on the rise, thanks to technological advancements, networks, and devices. These advanced metropolises use sensors and electronic gadgets to collect information and provide better services to the people living in them.
Though smart cities have many things to overcome, such as ensuring the security of the information they gather, there’s another focus – smart healthcare.
The Rise of Smart Healthcare
Smart healthcare uses various technologies, such as sensors, wearable devices, AI, IoT (internet of things), and more. Big data and business intelligence are also used to effectively respond to the healthcare needs of everyone within the ecosystem.
Many world governments are focused on smart healthcare or the overall need for digital health. India’s government, for instance, offers various initiatives, such as mobile medical units and FDSI (Free Diagnostics Service Initiative).
Over the last year, due to COVID-19, the concept of smart healthcare has gained increased attention. Digital technologies are at the forefront here for the management and control of the virus. For example, many countries developed contact tracing apps to track and, essentially, slow the spread of the virus. Additionally, big data and AI technologies have been very helpful in vaccine distribution and drug discovery.
The pandemic has also brought telehealth, an aspect of smart healthcare and once considered an emerging solution, to the mainstream. More and more people are now experiencing this type of digital care by seeing doctors remotely online or through using IoT-based apps that help to manage their health.
Better Patient Outcomes with Integrated Technology
Networking and connectivity are crucial for smart city development, and that also includes smart healthcare. You can use medical sensors to get real-time data and analyze it to create the right diagnosis or analysis. Plus, patients can wear devices and record information in their smartphone apps to monitor their condition more effectively.
Blockchain technology is also being utilized now to store electronic health records and keep them safe. This is the same technology used by cryptocurrency dealers, and it’s virtually not hackable.
With that, you also have robotics. Surgery robots can perform minimally invasive surgery, leaving the surgeon free to watch for any issues. Plus, robots are now used in the ICU to monitor patients, in radiology, and elsewhere.
What Are the Benefits of Smart Healthcare?
Smart healthcare offers many advantages for smart cities. Patients can receive smart health care services, regardless of where they are. And when you do have to visit a doctor’s office or hospitals, there’s a smoother experience. Plus, these areas have automated registration, smart parking options, online payment gateways, and so much more.
However, smart healthcare also benefits practitioners. They can provide more accurate diagnoses and treatments, which means more efficiency all around. Patients can now also be more involved in their healthcare, which could inspire them to get healthier.
Final Thoughts
Though smart healthcare focuses significantly on machine learning and AI, medical professionals are still required. They must make the right decisions by analyzing the data and understanding what it all means. While IoT can help, smart sensors are crucial, and the data produced must be gathered safely and securely. Though smart cities are the wave of the future, the solution to having a truly smart city is through the use of smart healthcare. That way, the people within the community can remain healthy and happy.