Communication Requirements in 5G-Enabled Healthcare Applications: Review and Considerations

• Published in: Healthcare (Basel) Vol. 10; no. 2; p. 293
• Main Authors: Qureshi, Haneya Naeem, Manalastas, Marvin, Ijaz, Aneeqa, Imran, Ali, Liu, Yongkang, Al Kalaa, Mohamad Omar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 02-02-2022; MDPI
• Subjects: 5G networks; Bandwidths; Business metrics; Communication; Data transmission; Health Care Sciences & Services; healthcare; Internet of Things; key performance indicators; Medical equipment; Review; Robotic surgery; Surgery; Taxonomy; Telemedicine; Wearable computers; wireless communication; key performance indicators; 5G networks; healthcare; wireless communication
• ISSN: 2227-9032; 2227-9032
• DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10020293

Fifth generation (5G) mobile communication technology can enable novel healthcare applications and augment existing ones. However, 5G-enabled healthcare applications demand diverse technical requirements for radio communication. Knowledge of these requirements is important for developers, network providers, and regulatory authorities in the healthcare sector to facilitate safe and effective healthcare. In this paper, we review, identify, describe, and compare the requirements for communication key performance indicators in relevant healthcare use cases, including remote robotic-assisted surgery, connected ambulance, wearable and implantable devices, and service robotics for assisted living, with a focus on quantitative requirements. We also compare 5G-healthcare requirements with the current state of 5G capabilities. Finally, we identify gaps in the existing literature and highlight considerations for this space.