- Adding a high-speed 5G network to the existing technology architecture will help not only to bet 20bet Asia properly but also transfer huge medical imaging data files, such as those produced by MRI and PET scans, quickly and reliably. A PET scanner typically generates huge files – up to 1 gigabyte of information per patient per exam. With low network bandwidth, the data transfer can take a long time or even fail. This means the patient waits even longer for treatment, and providers may see fewer patients in the same amount of time.
- 5G will finally bring real telemedicine to healthcare because it will enable real-time, high-quality mobile video. According to Market Research Future, the telemedicine market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16.5% in the coming years, but will require 5G in both urban and rural areas. Faster network speeds mean that patient demand for “anytime, anywhere” healthcare will continue to grow. As mentioned above, this is currently not a realistic option for rural areas, but it is likely to be the case for a while.
- Fast and accurate remote health monitoring. Using medical sensors, doctors will be able to monitor patients and collect critical data in real time, which will improve personalized and preventive care. According to Anthem, 86% of doctors say wearables already increase patient engagement in their care, and they are projected to reduce hospital costs by 16% over the next five years. 42% of business leaders across industries expect 5G to allow devices to consume less power, which is often a key factor in remote monitoring.
- Artificial intelligence has enormous potential to improve diagnostics, determine the best treatment plans for specific patients, and predict post-surgical complications to enable early intervention when needed. The large amount of data required for rapid, real-time learning requires ultra-reliable, high-bandwidth networks, and 5G could make this possible.
- Augmented and virtual reality, and spatial computing are already starting to be applied in healthcare. 5G is expected to enhance doctors’ ability to use innovative, less invasive treatments. For example, AT&T is partnering with VITAS Healthcare to study the impact of potential 5G-compatible augmented reality systems on patient engagement in care. The goal is to reduce pain and anxiety for terminally ill patients in hospice care by providing calming, distracting content using such technologies.
- Remote robotic surgery. Robotic surgery is already a reality, but the surgeon still has to stand next to the robot. Almost half of consumers now believe that remote robotic surgery would be right for them, but 61% believe such procedures are risky at current internet speeds, according to Ericsson. 5G networks will provide a 1-millisecond response time, which is key to connecting surgeons to a remote robot performing surgery.
- High-speed 5G technology will help make healthcare available virtually anywhere, anytime. The technology will expand access to healthcare, even from great distances, while helping to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Imagine, for example, a doctor conducting a virtual visit to a patient shortly, downloading an MRI scan in seconds.
Yes, 5G capabilities will enable large patient file transfers, remote surgeries, telemedicine, remote patient monitoring using IoT devices, and undoubtedly other possibilities. However, security analysts are already aware of the inevitable increase in data security risks that 5G technologies will create in the areas of data storage and sharing, including the increased use of IoT devices.
Theft of medical information, invasion of privacy, and breaches of information systems will become more common as the number of devices increases significantly, and virtualization and the cloud become more widespread. All of this will mean a wider and more diverse attack surface. To take advantage of the 5G benefits that healthcare organizations will seek, their leaders and security teams will need to pay more attention to information security, increase technical sophistication, and invest more in their security programs than ever before.