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The
healthcare system is experiencing a massive transformation with the rollout of
the 5G network, which comes with safe, high-speed connections, low lag, and
increased capacity. In addition to making healthcare efficient and reliable, 5G
helps improve individual health and save lives. Since 5 G's invention, the
pharmaceutical and healthcare industry has appreciated its significance,
especially during the Covid 19 pandemic.
By Brittany Cotton
The
benefits of 5G, including cutting-edge medical innovations, support for the Internet
of Medical Things (IoMT), and artificial intelligence (AI) through remote
access, real-time monitoring, and quick data transfers and processing, have
enabled technological advancements in healthcare.
Experts
anticipate that these advancements will bridge the gap between rural and urban
healthcare services, offers remote access to world-class surgeons and doctors,
support an aging population, and enable individuals to improve and maintain
their health.
The Significance of 5G in
the Healthcare Industry
Improved
Security and Reliability
One of
the leading benefits of the 5G network is its ability to offer a remarkable
99.999% reliability, offering specific services with universal coverage. This
reliability is essential for real-time medical applications in healthcare,
including remote patient monitoring, connected ambulances, and AR-assisted
robotic surgeries, where timely and accurate data transmission is crucial.
In
addition to reliability, 5G networks offer enhanced security compared to
outdated wireless technologies. In a nutshell, 5G utilizes advanced encryption
protocols, software-defined infrastructure, improved privacy protection, and a
complex authentication framework, making it more secure than its predecessors.
Besides protecting patients' privacy and confidentiality, these features ensure
a safe and secure transmission of sensitive healthcare data.
Enhanced
Capacity
Unlike
4G networks that only handle a limited number of connected devices per square
kilometer, 5G networks can support up to 1 million connected devices. This
significant improvement in capacity is crucial to sustaining a healthcare
ecosystem of connected devices that require real-time transmission of large
data files.
It is
worth noting that connected ambulances require fast and reliable connectivity
to support several medical staff and devices. These include paramedics, trauma
center coordinators, ambulance operators, hospital staff, and patient
monitoring devices. With 5G connectivity, it's easy to achieve speedy transfers
of medical records and high-quality video calls and, in the process, enhance
the quality of patient care.
Improved
Performance
Reduced
latency and high-resolution bandwidth are among the advantages of 5G networks,
and the network achieves them by increasing data transfer speeds up to 20Gbps
and lower delays. This increased network performance is vital for real-time
data transfers.
Delays
or lags could negatively impact remote consultations, making diagnosing health
conditions difficult for doctors. For instance, a delay in arm movement during
teleconsultation could indicate an issue with the technology's latency.
Improved performance also comes into play for augmented reality-based
applications in healthcare.
How 5G Is Transforming
the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Industry
5G has
already revealed great potential in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry,
with numerous use cases emerging. For example, local authorities in
Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, used 5G to connect their
medical gadgets and employees in real-time and on a centralized network with
high-quality internet connectivity and high-speed data transfers. This
invention enabled medical experts to offer the utmost patient care even amid
the pandemic.
In
Milan, which has been dubbed Europe's 5G capital, Vodafone introduced 5G-connected ambulances to enable
paramedics to communicate with doctors and the emergency management center
around the clock. Due to this, hospital staff could receive patient symptoms
and information beforehand, allowing them to derive the treatment course before
the patient's arrival.
The
above are a few examples of the potential use cases for 5G networks in
healthcare. With the ability to enable high-speed data transfers, lower
latency, and save up to $94 billion for the healthcare
industry by 2030, 5G is a must-have technology in the healthcare industry. Here
is how 5G can transform the healthcare industry and is already making a huge
difference.
Remote
Patient Monitoring
The
low latency and dependability of 5G technology are set to revolutionize the
healthcare and pharmaceutical industry by enabling real-time remote patient
monitoring. Experts plan to achieve this by using 5G-enabled wearables and
medical devices. These devices can gather patient data to alert medical
professionals about early warning signs for proactive intervention or evaluate
treatments to enhance treatment outcomes.
This
technological advancement will significantly enhance people's quality of life,
particularly individuals with medical conditions and older adults. 5G allows
this group to take charge of their health and monitor it from their homes. With
the advent of 5G technology, the systems will need power
management tools to guarantee their reliability and
availability.
Facilitates
Telemedicine
5G
networks are highly beneficial for telemedicine in rural areas due to limited
access to healthcare. Rural areas require a network supporting real-time,
high-quality video calls without jitters or lags. The network should also
support high-speed large file transfers. The large bandwidths and low latency
of 5G networks can significantly improve the quality of telehealth
consultations, reduce healthcare facilities' expenses, and enhance the
patient's overall experience.
In
addition, telemedicine is the best technology during pandemics because it
eliminates the need for patients to visit a doctor's office. Also, it connects
them with specialists and well-equipped medical facilities remotely, even in
remote areas of the world.
Clinical
Collaboration and Communication
Doctors
may experience delays in diagnosis and treatment at hospitals because they
often have to wait long periods to receive medical imaging and lab test
results. This delay negatively impacts the patient experience, quality of care,
and hospital expenses. Lack of collaboration and communication between hospital
departments is to blame for these problems.
Fortunately,
5G technology implemented throughout the hospital can help counter these issues.
5G networks can significantly reduce wait times, allowing lab technicians to
share large files quickly without compromising quality. Additionally, this
network can connect medical equipment, smartphones, and PCs used by hospital
employees, making data easily accessible in real time.
Augmented Reality in
Healthcare
Augmented
reality is an essential tool in healthcare, with various applications made
possible by 5G technology. Using Augmented Reality (AR) in a 4G network can be
problematic, as it often leads to lag times, which can cause motion sickness
over lengthy periods of use. Thankfully, 5 G's high performance, bandwidth, and
reliability can overcome these restrictions.
Some
AR glasses allow paramedics to access medical records and other crucial patient
handling and treatment information. For instance, if a pregnant woman is in
labor, the AR glasses can offer vital information to the ambulance staff. It
can improve the patient's care quality by providing the guidelines to follow en
route to the hospital and the right questions to ask.
5G Connected
Ambulance
5G
connectivity allows emergency medical technicians to share patients' symptoms,
medical records, and vitals with doctors in real time. Additionally, it
facilitates using 4K video calls to notify doctors of the situation, allowing
them to prepare accordingly. These features are useful during emergencies such
as pandemics, accidents, or natural disasters.
The
best news is that doctors can advise the ambulance team on the ideal treatment
course and remotely assess the patient's status. Real-time information sharing
and better use of time and resources can make ambulance handovers faster,
reduce the time spent in emergency rooms, and improve the patient's overall
experience.
Computer-Aided
Diagnostics
Various
medical files, such as CT scans or MRIs, are large and slow to transfer.
However, with 5G, transfers can happen almost instantly, enabling doctors to
diagnose patients faster and offer detailed treatment. 5G can also assist with
robot-assisted remote imaging, which helps treat patients with highly infectious
diseases such as coronavirus.
Doctors
can also utilize 5G to transform MRIs into 3D holograms that can be projected
onto patients during consultations with radiologists and other experts. Thanks
to this invention, doctors can visualize the patient's condition more
accurately and provide faster, more precise diagnoses.
Medical
Sensors
Wearable
medical devices with sensors, wireless technology, inbuilt GPS, and smartphone
compatibility are increasingly popular. For instance, smartwatches can monitor
several health indicators like blood oxygen, skin temperature, heart rate and
rhythm, and stress. These technologies enhance engagement with healthcare and
assist with remote patient care and monitoring.
Doctors
can also use smartphone microphones and cameras to diagnose various medical
conditions like melanoma, injuries, coughs, skin infections, or eye problems.
Moreover, wireless sensors can help administer and monitor medication and
rehabilitation.
Remote
Surgery
Investors
provided more than $1 billion in
financial backing for healthcare robotics companies in 2021, indicating a
promising future for completely remote surgeries using robots and 5G
connectivity. The success of the world's first remote robotic surgery in
Beijing in 2019 demonstrated the potential for 5G-enabled orthopedic surgery
robots, with Huawei and China Telecom providing network technology for the
trial.
In
this setup, the surgeons would operate a robot that mimics their movements in
person, with 5 G's high speed and low latencies facilitating the transmission
of video footage to the surgeons and enabling the transmission of real-time
feedback without latency. These network features allow the remotely connected
surgeon to respond to feedback as fast as if performing on-site surgery.
Robot-Assisted
Services
5G is
crucial for robotic healthcare operations that can take blood samples, deliver
medication, provide social care for patients, and disinfect hospital rooms. The
shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) is projected to be between 200,000 and 450,000 by 2025,
healthcare facilities require more automation. However, for 5G to support these
healthcare use cases, devices must integrate with the latest chipsets.
Distraction
and Rehabilitative Therapy
Virtual
Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology can enhance patients'
experience in hospitals and clinics through distraction and rehabilitative
therapy. For instance, a child can wear a headset streaming cloud-based videos
or applications of their choosing in real-time to distract them during the
injection.
Similarly,
amputees can use headsets to virtually overlay the relaxation of their lost
limb to relieve phantom limb pain. 5G is necessary in these cases due to its
low latency and high bandwidth, which allows cloud-based applications and video
streaming. Additionally, low latency can reduce lag and jitter, improving user
experience and reducing nausea for VR applications.
Video
Analytics for Behavioral Recognition
Video
analytics can enhance patients' safety in hospitals, care homes, and
psychiatric centers by detecting abnormal behavior, falls, or potential danger.
Hosting the analytics on the cloud or edge computer is essential to avoid
expensive hardware. This hosting also ensures data security and quick local
data processing.
High-Definition
Virtual Consultations
Patients
and healthcare professionals use two-way high-definition (HD) videos for
initial screening assessments, therapy and rehabilitation sessions, routine
check-ups, and visual diagnoses. By making these appointments, patients avoid
traveling and lower appointments cost. Professionals expect 5G to enable the
provision of these virtual consultations at the ideal size, unlike other
connectivity solutions.
5G Technology: What to
Expect Now and Soon
Soon,
5G technology will transform the transportation industry. Automakers have
developed self-driving cars, and 5G networks will enable them to communicate
with each other in real time. This invention will make the roads safer and more
efficient.
In the
entertainment industry, 5G technology will create immersive and incredible
experiences, such as virtual reality concerts and games. It will also make
streaming high-quality content on their mobile devices easier without buffering
or lag.
But
what should you expect from 5G technology soon? You can expect even faster
internet speeds and lower latency, meaning people will download and upload
content rapidly. You can also expect more widespread coverage as more 5G
networks are deployed globally.
In
conclusion, 5G technology is here, and it will change the world. You can expect
significant healthcare, transportation, and entertainment improvements, among
other industries. And with even more progress on the horizon, the future looks
bright for 5G technology.
Should Healthcare and
Pharmaceutical Industries Adopt 5G?
Yes.
Healthcare data is rapidly increasing in amount and complexity, and
advancements in technologies like MRI and CT scanners, wearable devices, and
virtual reality technologies are some of the reasons for this growth.
Healthcare and pharmaceutical industries can improve data transfer and
processing by introducing 5G, multi-access edge, and cloud computing.
Ultimately, this leads to numerous medical advancements, including personalized
medicine, telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and spatial computing
technologies.
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