Leveraging AI and IoT for Remote (Telemedicine) Consultations: Improved Maternal Care for Pregnant Women in Rural Zimbabwe.
- Author
- Mubvumbi Daniel C.
- Title
- Leveraging AI and IoT for Remote (Telemedicine) Consultations: Improved Maternal Care for Pregnant Women in Rural Zimbabwe.
- Abstract
-
ABSTRACT
This research investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating telemedicine, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to improve maternal health care through remote consultations in rural Zimbabwe. Despite the critical need for enhanced healthcare services in these regions, rural healthcare systems are often challenged by limited resources, staff shortages, and inadequate infrastructure. This study aimed to address these issues by designing and implementing a telemedicine platform that incorporates IoT devices for health monitoring and AI algorithms for risk prediction.
A mixed-methods approach was adopted, utilizing quantitative data from online surveys and qualitative insights from informal interviews with healthcare professionals (HCPs). Key findings indicated a high level of comfort with technology among HCPs, and moderate adoption of telemedicine, highlighting its potential to enhance healthcare delivery. However, concerns about privacy, infrastructure, and cultural acceptance were noted, emphasizing the need for a blended approach of in-person and remote care. The AI model, trained using a sample dataset, demonstrated promising accuracy in predicting maternal health risks, while pilot testing with HCPs affirmed the practical value and potential of the developed prototype.
The results suggested that integrating telemedicine with IoT and AI technologies can significantly improve access to quality maternal health care in rural Zimbabwe through remote consultations, provided that foundational infrastructure and community education are prioritized. This study concluded with recommendations for further research and practical implementations to support the ongoing development of digital healthcare solutions in similar contexts.
- Date
- JUNE 2024
- Publisher
- BUSE
- Keywords
- integrating telemedicine, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), healthcare professionals
- Supervisor
- Mr P. Chaka
- Item sets
- Department of Computer Science
- Media
-
Mubvumbi Daniel .C