Healthcare 4.0

Abstract

The primary objective of this chapter is to explore Healthcare 4.0 and rural health issues and challenges. In the last few years, many scholars and researchers worldwide have been interested in Healthcare 4.0, the fourth revolution in healthcare. The traditional approach to healthcare is primarily based on delivering medical services through a system of hospitals and private clinics. Several factors, including the qualifications of healthcare practitioners, medical clinics, and the availability of the latest technology, determine healthcare quality. Healthcare digitization can improve the quality and adaptability of public systems. Open data on health, treatment, complications, and recent scientific advances are available. Diagnostic service providers are more relaxed and available, especially in low-income countries. However, many difficulties surrounding digital health technologies, such as reliability, security, testing, and ethical considerations, still need to be solved. Diagnosis, consultation, and treatment of patients can benefit from digital platforms. However, the lack of official laws and advice makes it difficult for stakeholders, businesses, and public organizations to validate and approve emerging digital health solutions. Blockchains and the Internet of Things (IoT) are enabling technologies that provide better data integrity assurances and enhanced patient health monitoring for contemporary healthcare applications. However, connectivity dependability might be a problem in rural areas, which limits the amount of real-time data that can be used. Additionally, IoT sensors may be unable to directly participate in blockchain transactions due to their limited computational and communication capabilities, lowering confidence. Individuals in rural locations have distinct healthcare demands compared to those in urban regions, and rural communities frequently lack access to healthcare. Our study provides recommendations and solutions for related academics and healthcare.