How 5G Can Connect the Healthcare System Post-COVID
Healthcare systems worldwide are still recovering from the unprecedented effects of the COVID19 pandemic. 5G networks have the potential to transform the key components of healthcare systems through providing superior levels of connectivity that will help meet the needs of both patients and providers at scale.
The buzz around 5G technology stems from the technical attributes of 5G networks, which are significantly more advanced than its 4G predecessor. 5G networks have ultra-low latency and can reach speeds approximately 100 times quicker than 4G, while simultaneously powering significantly more connections. This superior performance has the potential to revolutionize the way healthcare systems operate on a global scale.
Connectivity in Healthcare in the Wake of COVID19
Due to the COVID19 pandemic, physical distancing forced telehealth to the forefront of the industry. 4G technology and fixed broadband infrastructure have enabled the prolific use of telehealth and online health services. 5G, however, offers the ability to take these interactions to the next level. For example, using 5G technology, sensors can be added to teleconferencing which would give healthcare workers the ability to monitor vital signs remotely. In addition, remotely testing patients with pre-existing medical conditions for changes in heartbeat, blood sugar and blood pressure multiple times a day could be possible using 5G powered cloud-linked scanners. Integrating 5G with a range of other advanced technologies such as AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), the cloud, big data analytics, geolocation sensors, and real-time monitors gives healthcare providers the ability to provide more precise, data driven care to patients both remotely and on-site.
How 5G Will Benefit the Key Participants in the Healthcare System
The benefits of 5G affect all the key participants in the healthcare system in different ways. Providers, payers, and pharmaceutical companies will all benefit from the improvements offered by 5G in terms of efficiency and positive outcomes.
Healthcare Providers
The COVID19 pandemic highlighted the flaws associated with manual inventory of devices. As the need for ventilators and other emergency devices grew exponentially, hospitals and other healthcare organizations didn’t know if they would have adequate equipment to treat seriously ill patients. 5G technology can help these organizations overcome inventory issues and more. Powered by 5G, devices could monitor critical variables such as bed occupancy levels, as well as the movement of employees and patients. This would provide healthcare establishments with data-driven insights that can be used for increasing operational efficiencies. Furthermore, 5G technology could also revolutionize the way medical care is delivered through wearable devices for the remote monitoring of patients.
Healthcare Payers
Payers, such as private insurance companies and governments are financially motivated to keep individual clients healthy. For these organizations, noticing medical emergencies early enough that they can be treated quickly before expensive diagnostic tests and treatments are required is essential. Widespread use of 5G powered wearable monitoring equipment for high-risk patients, such as diabetics or patients with heart issues could decrease the costs faced by payers while improving the health of the population and ultimately, saving lives.
5G will also benefit payers through its increased speed and bandwidth capabilities that can enhance the treatments provided by healthcare professionals. For example, MRI scans, CT scans and other vital images can be sent to specialists faster and more efficiently with 5G networks, resulting in quicker diagnosis and treatment for the patient and reduced costs for the payer.
5G can also assist with improving outcomes for complex treatments through advanced technology such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), AI and robotic equipment linked to databases and sensors.
Pharmaceutical Companies
Pharmaceutical companies are dependent on clinical trials providing a constant flow of detailed patient data. 5G networks could enable the use of IoT-connected monitoring devices in the homes of trial participants to reduce administrative overhead and processing costs, and ultimately reduce the cost of each trial. With real-time transmission of the length of each channel could be significantly shortened, enabling pharmaceutical companies to get their products to market faster.
The Outlook for 5G in Healthcare
It is important to remember that while these 5G-powered changes are in progress, widespread adoption in the healthcare sector could still be years off. While 5G has been installed by telecommunication companies in many countries, availability is currently limited to small zones in urban areas. Extensive deployment of 5G networks is not expected until 2025. Additionally, consumer adoption of 5G applications, such as wearable medical devices and telemedicine is likely to be slow, despite initial acceleration as a result of the COVID19 pandemic. Concerns about security and privacy are also a major factor for the healthcare industry, and providers will have to address how sensitive and confidential medical data will be transferred securely across huge global public networks.
In Conclusion
Through a combination of 5G networks and other leading-edge technologies, the healthcare system is likely to transform significantly over the next decade.
VIAVI Solutions can assist healthcare organizations in implementing new fiber networks or executing quality assurance on existing networks. We can also assist with 5G validation, 5G testing, and 5G visibility in pursuit of more reliable networking. VIAVI offers end-to-end network solutions through 350+ global Channel Partners to meet your needs. Contact us for more information.
