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How 5G Wireless (and Concomitant Technologies) Will Revolutionize Healthcare?

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  • Siddique Latif

    (School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
    Department of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology University (ITU), Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan)

  • Junaid Qadir

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology University (ITU), Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan)

  • Shahzad Farooq

    (Nokia Networks, FI-00045 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Muhammad Ali Imran

    (School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK)

Abstract

The need to have equitable access to quality healthcare is enshrined in the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which defines the developmental agenda of the UN for the next 15 years. In particular, the third SDG focuses on the need to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. In this paper, we build the case that 5G wireless technology, along with concomitant emerging technologies (such as IoT, big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning), will transform global healthcare systems in the near future. Our optimism around 5G-enabled healthcare stems from a confluence of significant technical pushes that are already at play: apart from the availability of high-throughput low-latency wireless connectivity, other significant factors include the democratization of computing through cloud computing; the democratization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cognitive computing (e.g., IBM Watson); and the commoditization of data through crowdsourcing and digital exhaust. These technologies together can finally crack a dysfunctional healthcare system that has largely been impervious to technological innovations. We highlight the persistent deficiencies of the current healthcare system and then demonstrate how the 5G-enabled healthcare revolution can fix these deficiencies. We also highlight open technical research challenges, and potential pitfalls, that may hinder the development of such a 5G-enabled health revolution.

Suggested Citation

  • Siddique Latif & Junaid Qadir & Shahzad Farooq & Muhammad Ali Imran, 2017. "How 5G Wireless (and Concomitant Technologies) Will Revolutionize Healthcare?," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-24, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jftint:v:9:y:2017:i:4:p:93-:d:122481
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. William D. Savedoff, 2009. "A Moving Target: Universal Access to Healthcare Services in Latin America and the Caribbean," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 42978, Inter-American Development Bank.
    2. William Savedoff, 2009. "A Moving Target: Universal Access to Healthcare Services in Latin America and the Caribbean," Research Department Publications 4606, Inter-American Development Bank, Research Department.
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    Cited by:

    1. Brij B. Gupta & Akshat Gaurav & Prabin Kumar Panigrahi, 2023. "Analysis of the development of sustainable entrepreneurship practices through knowledge and smart innovative based education system," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 923-940, June.
    2. Josip Marić & Carlos Galera-Zarco & Marco Opazo-Basáez, 2022. "The emergent role of digital technologies in the context of humanitarian supply chains: a systematic literature review," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 319(1), pages 1003-1044, December.
    3. Raihan Ur Rasool & Hafiz Farooq Ahmad & Wajid Rafique & Adnan Qayyum & Junaid Qadir & Zahid Anwar, 2023. "Quantum Computing for Healthcare: A Review," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-36, February.
    4. Simona Andreea Apostu & Valentina Vasile & Cristina Veres, 2021. "Externalities of Lean Implementation in Medical Laboratories. Process Optimization vs. Adaptation and Flexibility for the Future," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-22, November.

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