Transforming Healthcare with the Internet of Things: A Comprehensive Review of Applications and Innovations | Chapter 2 | Engineering Research: Perspectives on Recent Advances Vol. 10

 

The rapid evolution of smart technologies and communication protocols has ushered in a transformative era for the Internet of Things (IoT), particularly within the healthcare sector. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of the key applications, enabling technologies, and emerging trends in IoT-driven healthcare systems. It outlines a standard model for integrating IoT into medical infrastructures, focusing on sensor-based monitoring, data acquisition, and predictive analytics using machine learning. The discussion explores the impact of IoT on clinical workflows, remote health tracking, chronic disease management, and patient engagement. Special emphasis is placed on network architectures, data transmission standards, and the role of Health Information Technology (HIT) in enhancing interoperability and system efficiency. By synthesising current literature and incorporating recent advancements, this chapter highlights both the opportunities and challenges in building scalable, secure, and intelligent healthcare ecosystems. It also presents new figures and use cases that demonstrate real-world deployments of IoT in medical settings, supporting the argument for broader adoption of IoT-enabled healthcare solutions.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Ragni Kumari
Department of Optometry, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences (UPUMS), Saifai, Etawah-206130, India.

 

Jagdish Singh
Department of Optometry, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences (UPUMS), Saifai, Etawah-206130, India.

 

Mayank Pal Singh
Department of Radiological and Imaging Technology, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences (UPUMS), Saifai, Etawah-206130, India.

 

Mayank Kumar
Department of Physiotherapy, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences (UPUMS), Saifai, Etawah-206130, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/erpra/v10/6039

Digital Interventions for COPD Management: Reducing Hospitalization and Readmission Rates | Chapter 1 | Medical Science: Recent Advances and Applications Vol. 6

 

Introduction: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, with acute exacerbations frequently resulting in hospitalization and early readmissions. Traditional management approaches are reactive, focusing on in-hospital care rather than prevention. The integration of digital health technologies offers a promising strategy to enhance disease monitoring and reduce healthcare utilization.

 

Methods: A narrative review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of digital interventions in COPD management. Seventy-three studies, including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and observational studies published between 2000 and 2024, were sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. Search terms included “COPD,” “digital health,” “telemedicine,” “remote monitoring,” and “hospital readmission.” Inclusion criteria focused on English-language studies with adult populations and clinical outcomes related to hospitalization or emergency visits.

 

Results: Digital interventions such as telemonitoring, mobile health apps, wearable devices, and AI-driven platforms were consistently associated with reduced hospital admissions, improved symptom tracking, better medication adherence, and enhanced patient engagement. However, disparities in digital access and integration challenges persist. A major obstacle to disparities in digital access is technological literacy among both patients and healthcare professionals. Infrastructure disparities, particularly in low-resource settings, further compound the issue by hindering reliable access to the internet, devices, and technical support. In addition, the integration of digital tools with existing healthcare systems is frequently fragmented, leading to inefficiencies and reluctance among providers to adopt new workflows.

 

Conclusion: Digital health technologies have significant potential to transform COPD care by reducing hospitalizations and promoting proactive disease management, though equity and implementation barriers must be addressed.

 

Recommendations: To maximize the benefits of digital health in COPD management, healthcare systems should prioritize the integration of telemonitoring and mobile health solutions into routine care pathways. Clinicians must be trained in digital tools to support patient adherence and early detection of exacerbations. Additionally, efforts should focus on addressing digital literacy and access disparities, particularly among older adults and underserved populations. Policymakers should invest in infrastructure and reimbursement models that support the sustainable implementation of digital health interventions.

 

Author (s) Details

Vineet Mishra

Department of Health Informatics, Arizona State University, Arizona, USA.

 

David Stuckler
Dondena Centre for Research on Social Dynamics, Department of Social & Political Sciences, Bocconi University, 4 via Roentgen, 20136, Milano, Italy.

 

Courtney L. McNamara
Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msraa/v6/5553