## 5 Key Enabling Technologies of Healthcare 4.0
### Distributed Edge Computing  
Distributed edge computing is a decentralized computing infrastructure that brings computational power and data storage closer to the edge of a network, typically near the source of data generation. It aims to reduce latency, enhance real-time processing, improve bandwidth utilization, and enhance security and privacy. The utilization of computing resources locally at the edge of the network, e.g., near the medical devices, to process and analyze data generated by IoMT devices plays a crucial role in optimizing healthcare systems [93].  
This approach offers several benefits, including reduced latency, improved reliability, and enhanced data privacy and security. By deploying edge computing in Healthcare 4.0 and IoMT, medical data can be processed locally, minimizing the need for sending sensitive patient information to a central location. Edge nodes can perform real-time data analytics, support remote monitoring, facilitate faster response times, and enable autonomous medical  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Benefit** & & **How It Assists Healthcare 4.0 and IoMT** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Storage and accessibility} & \(\bullet\) & Cloud computing allows medical professionals to securely store and access patient data from anywhere, anytime, using any internet-connected device. \\  & \(\bullet\) & This streamlines data management eliminates physical storage constraints and facilitates efficient collaboration among healthcare providers. \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Scalability} & \(\bullet\) & Cloud platforms can scale computing resources based on demand. This is particularly beneficial for medical professionals dealing with data-intensive processes or situations requiring rapid scaling, including during emergencies. \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Data backup} & \(\bullet\) & Cloud services typically offer robust backup and recovery capabilities, ensuring data resilience and minimizing the risk of data loss in case of local system failures or natural disasters. \\  & \(\bullet\) & This feature is vital to save patient information and maintain continuity of care. \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Enhanced collaboration} & \(\bullet\) & Cloud computing enables real-time collaboration between medical professionals, allowing them to securely share patient records, test results, and treatment plans. \\  & \(\bullet\) & It also supports telemedicine by providing a platform for remote consultations, remote monitoring, and virtual patient care. \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Cost-effectiveness} & \(\bullet\) & Cloud computing eliminates the need for extensive on-premises infrastructure, IT hardware, and maintenance costs. \\  & \(\bullet\) & It offers a cost-efficient business model, allowing medical professionals to scale resources as needed, optimizing cost-efficiency. \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{Security and compliance} & \(\bullet\) & Cloud providers invest heavily in advanced security measures, encryption techniques, and regulatory compliance standards. \\ \cline{1-1}  & \(\bullet\) & By leveraging cloud services, medical professionals can benefit from robust security protocols and ensure adherence to healthcare privacy regulations. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 10: Benefits of cloud computing to Healthcare 4.0 and IoMT.  
device operations. However, specific deployment strategies and implementations vary across different companies and organizations. Factors such as network architecture, device capabilities, data processing requirements, and regulatory considerations influence how distributed edge computing is implemented in the IoMT [94].  
Deploying distributed edge computing, e.g., fog computing and mobile edge computing (MEC), for Healthcare 4.0 and IoMT can introduce the benefits introduced in Table 11 [93; 94; 95].