Internet of Medical Things and the Evolution of Healthcare 4.0: Exploring Recent Trends

Abstract

Enhanced patient care and remote health monitoring have always been important issues. Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is a subsection of Healthcare 4.0 that uses recent technologies like mobile computing, medical sensors, and cloud computing to track patients' medical information in real-time. These data are stored in a cloud computing framework that may be accessed and analyzed by healthcare experts. IoMT and Healthcare 4.0 have immense potential for revolutionizing patient care and diagnostics, despite facing numerous complex challenges. This paper thoroughly analyzes technical, structural, and regulatory obstacles encountered by the healthcare sector. Challenges in IoMT implementation include cost considerations, network stress, interoperability issues, ethical limitations, policy intricacies, security concerns, and vulnerabilities jeopardizing patient privacy. However, amidst these challenges, the study highlights the prospective long-term benefits, including diminished medical costs and enhanced patient care. In this study, we have portrayed a comprehensive exploration of the field of IoMT and different related technologies from more than 100 papers to represent the transformation and growth in this decade. We have illustrated some of the significant findings of applications and innovations in the domain of IoMT. This paper delves into IoMT's application in dementia detection and care, improved data management, fortified cybersecurity measures, and modernizing existing healthcare systems. The study also offers valuable insights into potential mitigation strategies, offered by ongoing research and innovation to address emerging trends and challenges, propelling the trajectory of Healthcare 4.0 towards an optimized and transformative future for patient well-being. Hence future research needs to integrate more prudent technologies addressing challenges including security, privacy, interoperability, and implementation costs.