Improving Healthcare Adherence with IoT

As technology becomes more advanced, it’s allowing us to better meet the needs and improve the lives of people suffering from illnesses. While much of the work in healthcare innovation is focused on drug and treatment therapy, there is another avenue through which doctors can improve outcomes for patients – increased medical adherence. IoT is a key innovation leading development in this space, through patient monitoring. In his article, “IoT Can Help Patients Adhere to Their Treatment Plans,” Jon Lee-Davey, Healthcare Lead for Vodafone IoT, explains the potential disruption IoT technology is creating in healthcare, by drawing on Vodafone’s latest global healthcare white paper “The Missing Link in Healthcare.”

According to the World Health Organization, only about 50% of patients with chronic illnesses in developed countries adhere to long-term treatment properly, with even fewer in developing countries. This negligence can lead many to require additional treatments and higher dosages, and ultimately, can lead to higher healthcare costs. Additionally, patients’ conditions can deteriorate when medical adherence is overlooked.

Fortunately, today’s innovations in IoT allow for better measurement and management when it comes to medical adherence. Solutions such as smart packaging and connected drug delivery services can give accurate, real-time updates to physicians about patient compliance to their treatments. Having this data available to patients via smartphone apps can also greatly improve their situation. By being aware of their commitment to their treatment and holding themselves responsible, individuals are more likely to be compliant. Research shows that the improvement in adherence is almost 20% for patients who receive feedback about it. Other technologies may also have a positive impact on medical adherence. For example, with advances in artificial intelligence technology, we may reach a point where a patient’s prescription can be changed automatically, without the need for a doctor’s appointment, which could lead to lower healthcare costs.

What other impacts do you anticipate IoT and other technologies having on healthcare in the near future? For more insights, Lee-Davey’s article is available on the Vodafone Internet of Things blog here: https://bit.ly/2zv7QvR