Introduction:
Wearable technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, with industry research estimating a worth of around $57 billion by 2022. While it has found its footing in various domains, its impact on the healthcare industry deserves special attention. From tracking vital statistics to aiding in diagnoses, wearable technology has revolutionized healthcare. In this article, we will explore ten ways in which wearable technology is making this impact, revolutionizing the healthcare industry and aiding in patient care.
Promoting Fitness and Health:
Wearables have empowered individuals to take charge of their health by tracking fitness data and monitoring lifestyle choices. Wearable technology such as Fitbit, Garmin, and Apple Watches offer real-time data about fitness, namely heart rate, steps taken, calories burned, and much more. This information allows individuals to create personal goals that accelerate towards overall health improvements and long-term benefits. The data can track progress over time, motivating individuals to make better choices leading towards a healthier lifestyle.
Better Management of Chronic Conditions:
Chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease require daily monitoring to track factors that can exacerbate symptoms. Wearables such as glucose monitors, continuous blood pressure monitors, and spirometers provide instant data about the user’s health status, allowing the patient to manage their symptoms better. In turn, it reduces the need for multiple doctor visits and hospitalizations.
Remote Health Monitoring:
Wearable technology has transformed remote health monitoring, enabling patients to receive treatment without leaving their homes. Wearable devices that track data about the user’s condition and vital statistics allow doctors to monitor progress, adjust medication and recommend changes without the need for face-to-face consultations.
Reducing Errors in Diagnostics:
Wearable technology can monitor vital physiological signs non-invasively and collect data that can help doctors determine a diagnosis. By providing supplementary information, wearable technology can improve precision in diagnoses and reduce diagnostic failure rates.
Increasing Medication Adherence:
Wearable technology can significantly improve medication adherence by providing reminders, tracking and alerting users when it’s time to take medication. This technology helps patients keep track of their medication schedules, reducing the risk of missed doses and decreasing the likelihood of emergency hospital visits.
Facilitating Remote Surgery:
Through wearable technology, doctors can perform remote surgeries, aided by robotic systems linked with smart glasses. The surgeon views the surgical field in real-time, providing high-precision surgery capabilities while minimizing the surgeon’s presence, reducing the risk of contamination and infection.
Efficient Virtual Consultations:
Wearable technology has simplified doctor-patient interactions, making virtual visits more efficient. Patients monitoring their blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate can share the data with their doctors instantly, enabling informed decisions and simplifying virtual consultations.
Improved Safety for the Elderly:
For elderly patients living alone, wearable technology provides security in case of an emergency. Fall detection, GPS tracking, and heart rate monitors can notify emergency services or family members if the user requires assistance.
Medical Research:
Wearable technology offers opportunities for medical research by collecting data over long periods, enabling better analysis and understanding of health trends. The data from wearable technology used in conjunction with research studies can lead to better outcomes, diagnosis, and treatments.
Privacy and Security:
As patients’ health data transmission and storage involve different technologies, the data must be secured. Wearable technology providers must ensure data encryption, secure authentication mechanisms, and secure communication protocols, ensuring the patients’ privacy and well-being.
Conclusion:
Wearable technology is a powerful tool, revolutionizing the healthcare industry in ways that extend beyond fitness tracking and assistive technology. From promoting fitness and health to improving remote healthcare, wearable technology is impacting the healthcare industry. With continuous advancements and improvements in wearable technology, the future of healthcare certainly looks promising.
