5G and telemedicine: why can they be considered the future of healthcare?

After becoming familiar with the DESI index (for more in-depth clarification check out our article: Diffusion of telemedicine in Italy: our progress), and how little telemedicine has progressed in Italy, we want to discuss those instances and technologies, as in the case of 5G, in which our country has proved its ability to keep up with the frenetic pace of innovation.

Before starting, we would like to highlight a study published by Osservatori Digital Innovation that sheds light on the innovations that this new technology is going to bring.

The Italian situation on the 5G

In what could be defined as a “race” towards the preparation for 5G, Italy is currently in third place; first even, as regards the allocation of frequencies on the “pioneer” bands. This new frontier of the connection will be able to guarantee a speed level, both in upload and download, much higher than 4G, allowing to safeguard high quality of pictures and videos.

In what could be defined as a “race” towards the preparation for 5G, Italy is currently in third place; first even, as regards the allocation of frequencies on the “pioneer” bands. This new frontier of the connection will be able to guarantee a speed level, both in upload and download, much higher than 4G, allowing to safeguard high quality of pictures and videos.

We are directed towards an increasingly hyperconnected world

Thanks to a wider bandwidth we will be able to ensure a continuous growth in managing:

• users
• devices
• data

The ability to share data at this speed, will allow an improvement of the service and the implementation of cutting-edge technologies. The hyperconnected world that we have come to know is now one step away from a further evolution: 5G will be the bridge to the “Internet of Things”.

The implementation of IoT tools, not only will allow to reach a wider audience of patients in less time, but will also positively impact their level of participation in the treatment process, involving them in the use of devices. The path we are on, is set to revolutionise the interactive dynamics between patients and the healthcare system. More specifically, the advantages that immediately catch the eye are:

• a more efficient communication;
• a better level of accessibility to health resources.

Digital health is ready to exploit the potential of 5G

The boundless potential with which this technology aims to revolutionize our way of conceiving the digital universe will, of course, also cause important repercussions on the digital medicine project. Home care will soon undergo a revolution, lightening the workload of doctors without affecting the quality of care.

People living in remote places (mountains, islands) will undoubtedly benefit from this technology, making it possible to meet with specialists much more quickly.

A further revolution that the 5G networks aim to bring concerns the field of telesurgery. The low latency and the ability to exploit a wider band will allow in fact the execution of a surgical operation from home, still maintaining the delicate and fundamental standards necessary for surgical instruments.

Bibiografia

1. Innovationpost.it | Il 5G per le imprese, la telemedicina e l’IoT: ecco i chiarimenti della Commissione Europea. Giugno 2020 | Beatrice Elerdini.
2. Ibid.