The healthcare industry is undergoing a digital transformation driven by advances in sensor technology, data analytics, and connectivity. This connected health revolution promises to reshape how medical care is delivered and managed.
Connected health refers to the use of technology to provide healthcare remotely. It encompasses things like remote monitoring devices, wearable health trackers, telemedicine consultations, and mobile health apps. The goal is to make healthcare more proactive, accessible, and efficient.
Benefits of Connected Health
Connected health offers many potential benefits, including:
- Improved access to care, especially for rural or underserved populations
- Early detection and intervention for health issues
- More preventative care vs reactive treatment
- Better chronic disease management
- Personalized care tailored to the individual
- Reduced healthcare delivery costs
How Sensors and Data Analytics are Driving Innovation
At the heart of the connected health revolution are sensors and data analytics. These advanced technologies are enabling more proactive and personalized care.
Miniaturized Sensors
Tiny, wearable sensors now allow detailed biometric data to be captured from patients in real-time. These may measure things like:
- Heart rate
- Blood oxygen levels
- Skin temperature
- Blood sugar
- Sleep patterns
- Movement
- Brain activity
Sensors transmit data wirelessly to healthcare providers to track health status.
Big Data and Predictive Analytics
The data collected from sensors and other digital health tools is enabling advanced analytics. Using AI algorithms, researchers can analyze population-level health data to uncover insights and predict risks.
Some applications include:
Identifying Disease Outbreaks Earlier
By tracking real-time public health data from connected devices, public health officials aim to spot disease outbreaks earlier. Even a few days notice can tremendously impact containment measures.
Predicting Hospital Readmissions
Hospitals are working on predictive models to identify patients at high risk of being readmitted after discharge. This allows them to provide additional transitional care.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Incorporating biomarker data from sensors/apps into patient health records assists physicians in tailoring precision treatment plans.
Connected Health in Action – Remote Patient Monitoring
One major area seeing innovation is remote patient monitoring (RPM). RPM uses technology to gather patient health data from a distance. This allows people to better manage chronic conditions from home.
Chronic Disease Prevalence Rising
The prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart failure is increasing globally. In addition, aging populations require ongoing care. RPM promises a scalable way to manage large patient populations outside hospital walls.
RPM Devices and Applications
RPM leverages wearables, at-home medical devices, and mobile apps to track vitals/symptoms. Collected data transfers to electronic health record systems where clinicians can access it. If readings fall outside preset thresholds, alerts notify care teams.
This gives clinicians real-time visibility into health status. Concerning changes often manifest in data days before a patient notices symptoms. Early intervention prevents complications.
Improved Outcomes
Studies on RPM interventions report:
- Fewer ER visits & hospital readmissions
- Improved medication adherence
- Higher patient satisfaction
- Reduced healthcare costs
The Future of Connected Health
The connected health infrastructure is still developing but holds incredible promise. What does the future hold?
Population-Level Real-Time Monitoring Entire populations could one day voluntarily participate in aggregate real-time health monitoring to inform public health initiatives.
Integration with Preventative Care
Seamlessly merging sensor data with medical records will transform reactive sick care into preventative well care.
Care Delivery Moving Beyond Clinics Virtual at-home assessments/interventions will replace some in-clinic visits. More affordable & convenient care.
The connected health revolution’s impacts are only beginning. Ultimately it aims to give people longer, healthier, happier lives full of rich data assisting their care along the way.