Influence of 5G on Healthcare

While the global pandemic feels like a distant memory today, the two years of strain on the healthcare system have left a lasting impact on the industry. COVID-19 highlighted what modern healthcare needs to be: preventative, participatory, and patient-centered.  

5G is emerging as a crucial tool to bring the sector closer to that ideal. Its technical advantages over 4G are evident – handling more connections at speeds up to 100 times faster.  

Although 5G is currently limited to large cities in developed countries, by around 2025, we can expect its reach will extend beyond the urban areas. As this trend unfolds, it is vital to understand the benefits 5G brings, how it impacts healthcare communication, and how healthcare businesses can leverage it. In this article, we will explore these opportunities. But before we begin, let’s define what 5G in healthcare is. 

What Is 5G? 

5G represents the 5th generation of cellular technology and is the gold standard in wireless communication today. Compared to its predecessor, 4G, it offers faster speeds, ultra-low latency, and greater bandwidth. These improvements enable 5G networks to reduce download and upload times, enhance reliability, and provide stronger connectivity.  

Like other transformative innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G transforms healthcare digital communication and data management. Its high-speed network connection significantly impacts clinical trials, provider-patient interactions, diagnostic evaluations, remote monitoring and interventions, and healthcare education. 

As Eben Albertyn, Chief Technology Officer at VodafoneZiggo, aptly stated: “The network of the future is already being built as we speak. 5G is an important part of that. The speed of technological developments that bring about countless new, smart opportunities enriching our lives is unprecedented.” 

Main Ways that 5G Benefits Healthcare 

The benefits of the 5G network in healthcare vary depending on the stakeholder. Let’s explore how this technology impacts insurance companies, healthcare providers (HCPs), pharma content, and pharmaceutical brands.  

Insurance companies  

Insurance companies focus on promoting the health of their insured populations. 5G technology plays a crucial role in preventing emergencies, detecting life-threatening symptoms early, and delivering quality care even to patients in rural areas.  

This is particularly advantageous for those with chronic illnesses and co-morbidities. For instance, using 5G-enabled patient monitoring devices for individuals with diabetes or cardiovascular conditions can save lives and prevent worsening symptoms, which, in turn, positively impacts insurance company’s bottom line.  

5G technology can recommend the next steps during surgical procedures based on the latest medical research and facilitate real-time consultations with remote healthcare professionals. Again, the reduced risk of surgical complications offers a range of commercial benefits for insurance companies. 

HCPs 

The pandemic exposed many flaws in healthcare. Hospitals avoided pouring money into costly inventory monitoring systems due to tight budgets and the limited return on investment. But when the crisis hit, HCPs were left worried about whether they had enough equipment to care for critically ill patients.  

High-speed 5G networks can be used not to track not only the equipment but also the bed availability and even people’s movements around the hospital. This real-time data helps manage hospital operations and curb the spread of viruses and infections.  

5G network also improves provider-patient interactions. Combined with sensors, teleconferencing enables providers to monitor patients’ vital signs without leaving their hospitals.  

With 5G’s ability to transmit large data packets, it is possible to track blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels multiple times a day. This marks a significant shift in patient care, as it allows for more accurate diagnoses and a better understanding of which treatments are effective and which are not, compared to relying solely on occasional hospital visits. 

Pharmaceutical companies 

Pharmaceutical companies can transform their approaches to clinical trials with the help of 5G networks. The success of these trials hinges on the continuous flow of patient data to assess the effectiveness of interventions.  

Traditionally, trial participants either visit hospitals for examinations to track vital signs or perform self-assessment and manually enter their data on a website. With a 5G network, life sciences companies can remotely monitor patients’ health in real-time using IoT devices.  

This immediate access to clinical data allows pharmaceutical brands to spot the links between treatments and patient outcomes faster, speed up trial timelines, and trim the related costs. If a treatment is found ineffective, drug manufacturers can quickly pivot, avoiding unnecessary expenses. 

Common 5G Healthcare Use Cases 

Earlier, we gave a brief overview of some potential use cases while discussing the benefits of 5G networks. Now, let’s explore them in more detail.  

Virtual consultations 

HD video empowers HCPs to keep the lines of communication open with patients, regardless of their location. Video consultations can be a viable solution when an examination does not require physical interaction. These consultations are ideal for initial assessments, visual diagnoses (like certain hair conditions or wound care), psychological sessions, or routine check-ups. High-speed transmission allows for effective communication, lowering the chances of a doctor mishearing and making a mistake. 

Virtual consultations ease the burden on patients by reducing the need for travel and lowering appointment costs. A study found that this level of patient involvement can cut down annual costs for patient visits by up to 31%. 

5G-enabled virtual consultations have also become a critical lifeline for people with disabilities or serious conditions that affect mobility. Patients in remote areas benefit from quick access to care and are less likely to postpone treatment. 

Remote patient monitoring 

Medical professionals generally have busy schedules, often seeing an average of 20 patients a day. Unsurprisingly, many HCPs experience burnout, which can eventually impact their clinical judgment and lead to compassion fatigue.  

The critical point is that not all 20 patients need to travel to primary care facilities. Sometimes, they do not have any significant complaints and just want to have their vitals checked.  

5G technology enables continuous remote monitoring of patient health throughout the day. This gives HCPs a fuller picture of their state and reduces their intense workload. Meanwhile, patients no longer must wait long to find an open slot in the doctor’s schedule. 

Additionally, some patients feel anxious and uncomfortable in a hospital setting. Using connected devices at home can eliminate this issue and often provide more accurate results, especially in cases with blood pressure or heart rate readings. 

Benefits of using 5G along with data management and analytics platform 

Education sessions 

Thanks to low latency and high bandwidth, 5G enables healthcare organizations to adopt advanced technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality in healthcare. These tools facilitate education for students by allowing them to immerse themselves in a learning environment without the fear of making mistakes.  

A stable and fast internet connection ensures that learners in remote areas receive quality self-education. Moreover, 5G supports seamless operation of educational applications, providing quick access to learning materials and facilitating effective communication between teachers and students. 

Assistance for people with visual impairments 

Activities like entering a coffee shop, walking the dog, or reading road signs are second nature for most people. But for someone with visual impairments, these tasks can be taxing.  

A 5G-powered AR/VR headset allows them to connect with an advisor in real time for help. This not only helps to improve their daily lives greatly but also reduces the risk of accidents. The reliability of 5G ensures they are never left stranded due to weak connectivity. 

Video-enabled medication adherence 

Medication adherence is crucial for achieving the desired clinical outcomes. However, it can be challenging for patients to stick to their prescribed therapy, especially when they have co-morbid conditions requiring multiple medications or when they are more likely to forget their treatment regimen due to underlying issues, such as mental health conditions. 

5G technology bridges the gap by connecting these patients with pharmacists or caregivers through high-definition video. This helps to ensure patients take the right medication at the right dosage and time. 

Connected ambulance 

In an emergency, every minute counts, and a delay in healthcare services can be fatal. A connected ambulance enables medical professionals to gather and transmit vital medical data before reaching the hospital. Wearables and HD video cameras provide real-time updates on the patient’s condition during transport to the emergency department.  

When the patient arrives, hospital staff are usually ready with the necessary equipment and know what actions to take. Sometimes, HCPs can connect with paramedics remotely to guide specific diagnostic evaluations or medical procedures. Ideally, this could mean the patient does not need to be transported to the hospital at all, receiving all necessary care on-site. 

Connected ambulance

Source: IoT Business News

Security Challenge and the Best Ways to Address It

When large volumes of data are transmitted, security challenges inevitably arise. And when that data is as sensitive as medical records, the security risks increase exponentially. 5G networks must be protected from cyberattacks to ensure safe healthcare interactions.  

There are three key strategies for ensuring the secure use of 5G networks in healthcare: 

Encryption methods 

Robust encryption methods must be implemented to protect data transmitted between endpoints. This ensures that even if data falls into the wrong hands, hackers will not be able to decipher and make use of it.  

As risks evolve, encryption strategies must also become more sophisticated to prevent cyberattacks. They should be agile and innovative enough to minimize the risk of hackers intercepting communications between 5G network users. 

AI-driven risk identification 

AI and machine learning (ML) should be leveraged to detect and respond to security intrusions effectively. These technologies are invaluable for isolating infections, identifying threats, analyzing traffic, and examining network packets.  

However, healthcare organizations should prioritize data security testing when using AI algorithms, as it is a technology still in development. This helps address privacy gaps that may emerge as innovation evolves. 

Comprehensive government response 

Government regulators should develop rules and standards to protect healthcare stakeholders’ privacy as technology expands. It is increasingly important to create a framework of standards for using connected devices, always-on networks, and data processing equipment. While these regulations must ensure the complete security of sensitive data, they must not impede the development of communication networks and interoperability.

Future Trends in 5G Network

As of 2024, the 5G healthcare market is worth an earth-shattering $85 billion. By 2034, this number is expected to soar to $1.8 trillion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.7%.  

The growing demand for improved provider-patient communication and the increase in the use of remote healthcare monitoring devices will continue to fuel this market growth. The increased bandwidth, low latency, and high speed of 5G will reshape healthcare, enabling pharma companies to discover drugs faster, supporting remote patient evaluations, and helping HCPs deliver medical services in distant areas without leaving hospital rooms.  

In the coming years, several healthcare trends will emerge with the spread of 5G.  

• As the number of patients grows, challenges related to managing patient data will become more pronounced. 5G will enable secure and seamless data transfer between HCPs and healthcare facilities.  
• Сost-saving measures will be crucial, with the ongoing shortage of medical professionals and constrained hospital budgets. 5G allows organizations to reduce in-person costs and alleviate the burden on HCPs.  
• IoT medical devices will be widely used to monitor patients’ health, providing real-time insights that will lead to more effective, evidence-based decisions regarding patient care.  
• HCPs will increasingly rely on exchanging high-definition videos and images, like mammograms and X-rays, to make clinical decisions remotely. 

Bottom Line 

Combining 5G with innovative technologies like AI, ML, and IoT can drastically change healthcare delivery, making it more connected and personalized. 5G can empower patients to become active participants in their care. This would improve their quality of life, reduce hospital visit costs, and eliminate long wait times for minor requests.  

5G enhances the personalization of healthcare. Activities such as remote examinations, interventions, and assistance share a common goal: prioritizing patients’ needs for convenience, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Ultimately, the success of any new technology depends on how effectively it addresses patients’ pains and needs –– and in this regard, 5G excels. 

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