Internet of Things in Telemedicine: A Systematic Review of Current Trends and Future Directions

Abstract

The main aim of this review paper is to explore the role of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in telemedicine and their impact on healthcare outcomes, focusing on chronic disease management, elderly care, and emergency services. This study conducted a systematic review following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). The research identified 15 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2024, focusing on the integration of IoT in telemedicine. Scopus database was chosen because it indexes scientific documents from various disciplines, such as Computer Science, Engineering, and Medicine. The following search terms were used: “IoT” OR “Internet of Things” AND “Telemedicine.” After screening the titles, abstracts, and full texts, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria for analysis. The review found that IoT technologies significantly improve patient outcomes, with chronic disease management showing a 20-30% reduction in complications. Cloud integration enhances scalability and real-time monitoring, facilitating better elderly care, especially in remote areas. However, challenges related to data security, interoperability, and the cost of IoT devices were noted. The findings suggest that IoT holds great potential for transforming healthcare delivery, further research is needed to address data privacy challenges, cost-effectiveness, and integration into existing healthcare systems. These insights are valuable for healthcare providers, policymakers, and technology developers working to implement IoT-based solutions in telemedicine.