Internet of Things (IoT) is the idea of physical objects being able to communicate online and interact with other objects.
.. defined the Internet of Things as “a world where physical objects are seamlessly integrated into the information network, and where the physical objects can become active participants in business processes.”
From my understanding of Telemedicine, it serves as a very efficient way of providing immediate care to people who may need medical assistance but have difficulty travelling to hospital . It allows certain groups of people, for examplem the elderly the fastest care and provide practical help that they need in case of emergency. It acts like “virtual hospital”. At the same time, with the use of smartphones or tablets, doctors can deliver medical assistance on-the-go by keeping a tab of the patient’s condition online.
One of the most simplest forms of Telemedicine allows a patient to consult doctor online without being physically present – this can be done through use of Webcam or Skype.
A more advanced version is the use wearable technology that tracks the blood pressure or heart rate of an elderly person that is attached to him/her at all time. This allows information to be transferred to medical professions in hospitals in real time. With the datas of rate of blood pressure or heart allows viewers to keep close eye on someone without being physically present with each other.
IMAGES & VIDEOS:
PROS:
Close monitoring of patients even when doctor is away from patient, this is because of the apps ability to keep tracck record of each patient’s condition. This includes,measurement of data vital to patient’s . As such, this allows doctors to keep close eye of any signs that requires immediate medical attention. Allows doctors to make more accurate analysis of patients’ without even needing to visit patients with machines attached to them.
Time and cost efficient – travel costs significantly reduced because both patient can consult doctor through by appearing through communication outlet such as SKYPE with use of WIFI
CONS:
Requires strong WIFI signal to get ease of communication – without this, difficult to secure consultation, aid needed – this would be difficult for isolated areas where wifi signals are weak or non existent or unaffordable
Telemedicine does not affect travelling required to get medicine/ medical assistance/nurse needed to improve patient’s health; remains inconvenient for those difficulty travelling
Breakdown in internet may result in data loss – that is vital for record keeping for patient’s health and doctor’s analysis
SUGGESTIONS FOR ALTERNATE USE
I think this device can be further improved when another one is made, that gives an alarm to neighbouring family members residing in same household but different space. This would not only alert doctor with said data with calling emergency unit, but it also alerts close caretakers. It could be like an immediate alarm bell or a vibration on his/her phone to signal that he/she assist in giving physical aid to patient.
