Assignment Task
1. Background
Cloud-based applications are at the forefront of the ICT boom in the healthcare sector, which has seen a rise in its utilisation in recent times. Cloud computing has the potential to provide healthcare organizations with improved scalability, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility of healthcare data, but also raises concerns about security, data privacy, and regulatory compliance (Azeez and Van der Vyver 2019). To address these concerns, researchers and practitioners have been exploring the use of hybrid cloud/fog environments.
Hybrid cloud/fog environments refer to the integration of cloud computing and edge computing technologies to provide a more flexible and efficient way of delivering computing resources and services (Mijuskovic et al. 2021). This approach aims to combine the benefits of cloud computing such as scalability, cost-effectiveness and accessibility, with the benefits of edge computing such as low latency, security, and privacy (Elhadad et al. 2022). The healthcare industry has seen a worldwide increase in interest in adopting hybrid cloud/fog environments. By 2025, the global hybrid cloud market is expected to be valued USD 173.33 Billion, according to projections by market research firm Market Research Future (MRFR), which projects a CAGR of 22.25% from 2018 to 2025. (Market Research Future 2021). This growth is being fueled by several factors, including the increasing volume of healthcare data, the demand for real-time processing, and the widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs).
There are several use cases of hybrid cloud/fog environments in healthcare, such as telemedicine, remote monitoring, and precision medicine. However, the implementation of a hybrid cloud/fog environment in healthcare is not without its challenges (Golightly et al . 2022). These include the need for specialized expertise, regulatory compliance, and security concerns. Additionally, there is a lack of understanding of the long-term implications and future prospects of using this technology in healthcare (Alrahbi et al. 2020). In sum, healthcare’s adoption of hybrid cloud/fog systems offers promising opportunities, but also presents some obstacles that must be overcome. This study’s overarching goal is to inform future studies and developments by investigating the feasibility of using a hybrid cloud/fog environment in the healthcare sector, including its advantages, disadvantages, and potential.
2. Problem statement
The research problem is to investigate the use of hybrid cloud/fog environment in healthcare and to understand the opportunities, challenges, and future prospects associated with it. Despite
the potential benefits of using a hybrid cloud/fog environment such as improved scalability, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility of healthcare data, there is a lack of understanding of the long-term implications and future prospects of using this technology in healthcare (Sivan and Zukarnain 2021). Hybrid cloud/fog environments provide unique difficulties in the healthcare sector due to factors like the requirement for specialised skills, regulatory compliance, and security issues (Butpheng et al. 2020). Therefore, the research aims to explore the use of a hybrid cloud/fog environment in healthcare and to examine the opportunities, challenges, and future prospects associated with it in order to provide insights and recommendations for healthcare organizations and researchers working in this field.
3. Research Questions
- What are the key opportunities and benefits of using a hybrid cloud/fog environment in healthcare, and how do they impact healthcare delivery?
- What are the key challenges and limitations of using a hybrid cloud/fog environment in healthcare and what potential solutions exist to address them?
- What are the future prospects of using a hybrid cloud/fog environment in healthcare, including any potential advancements or new applications?
- How can healthcare organizations effectively implement a hybrid cloud/fog environment to improve their healthcare delivery services?
Research question 1 (RQ1) aims to identify the key opportunities and benefits of using a hybrid cloud/fog environment in healthcare and how they impact healthcare delivery. This research question is important because it addresses the potential advantages that a hybrid cloud/fog environment can bring to healthcare organizations. For instance, a hybrid cloud/fog system can improve healthcare data scalability, cost-effectiveness, accessibility, real-time processing, low latency, and security. The findings can assist healthcare businesses use hybrid cloud/fog environments to improve healthcare delivery by identifying these opportunities (Ijaz et al. 2021).
Research question 2 (RQ2) aims to analyze the key challenges and limitations of using a hybrid cloud/fog environment in healthcare and to identify potential solutions. This research question concerns healthcare firms’ hybrid cloud/fog implementation challenges. Expertise, regulatory compliance, and security are these obstacles. The research can help healthcare firms understand hybrid cloud/fog environment drawbacks and how to overcome them (Pareek et al. 2021).
Research question 3 (RQ3) aims to examine the future prospects of using a hybrid cloud/fog environment in healthcare, including any potential advancements or new applications. This research question is crucial since it concerns the technology’s prospective evolution and healthcare implications. The findings can help healthcare companies and researchers predict future trends and advancements by analysing the future of hybrid cloud/fog environments in healthcare (Jain et al . 2020).
Research question 4 (RQ4) aims to provide insights and recommendations for healthcare organizations on how to effectively implement a hybrid cloud/fog environment to improve their healthcare delivery services. This research question discusses healthcare firms’ hybrid cloud/fog implementation. The findings can help healthcare businesses understand how to build a hybrid cloud/fog environment and improve their services by providing advice (Javaid et al. 2022).
4. Aims & Objectives
The aim of the study is to find the use of a hybrid cloud/fog environment in healthcare and to understand the opportunities, challenges, and future prospects associated with it.
Objectives
- To identify the key opportunities and benefits of using a hybrid cloud/fog environment in healthcare and how they impact healthcare
- To analyze the key challenges and limitations of using a hybrid cloud/fog environment in healthcare and to identify potential solutions.
- To examine the future prospects of using a hybrid cloud/fog environment in healthcare, including any potential advancements or new applications.
- To provide insights and recommendations for healthcare organizations on how to effectively implement a hybrid cloud/fog environment to improve their healthcare delivery
These objectives are aligned to research questions and aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how hybrid cloud/fog environment can be used in healthcare sector and its impact on healthcare delivery services (Ahmadi et al. 2020).