The digital transformation of nursing practice: an analysis of advanced IoT technologies and smart nursing systems

Front Med (Lausanne). 2024 Nov 29:11:1471527. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1471527. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Facing unprecedented challenges due to global population aging and the prevalence of chronic diseases, the healthcare sector is increasingly relying on innovative solutions. Internet of Things (IoT) technology, by integrating sensing, network communication, data processing, and security technologies, offers promising approaches to address issues such as nursing personnel shortages and rising healthcare costs. This paper reviews the current state of IoT applications in healthcare, including key technologies, frameworks for smart nursing platforms, and case studies. Findings indicate that IoT significantly enhances the efficiency and quality of care, particularly in real-time health monitoring, disease management, and remote patient supervision. However, challenges related to data quality, user acceptance, and economic viability also arise. Future trends in IoT development will likely focus on increased intelligence, precision, and personalization, while international cooperation and policy support are critical for the global adoption of IoT in healthcare. This review provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in healthcare and suggests directions for future research and technological advancements.

Keywords: Internet of Things; healthcare; international cooperation; policy recommendations; smart platforms; technical challenges.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

The authors declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2022YFC2009606) and the Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province of China (grant number A2023159).