The Role of Wearable Technology in Revolutionising Healthcare Delivery in the NHS
Wearable technology has become increasingly popular in recent years, with fitness trackers, smartwatches, and other wearable devices becoming common accessories for many people. However, wearable technology also has significant potential in the field of healthcare, particularly in terms of revolutionising healthcare delivery in the NHS.
What is Wearable Technology?
Wearable technology refers to electronic devices that can be worn on the body, often in the form of clothing, accessories, or implantable devices. These devices typically contain sensors that can collect data on various bodily functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep patterns, among others.
Benefits of Wearable Technology in Healthcare Delivery
Wearable technology has the potential to improve healthcare delivery in several ways, including:
Cost-Effective Monitoring of Patients
Wearable devices equipped with sensors can continuously monitor patients remotely, allowing healthcare providers to keep track of vital signs and other critical data in real-time. This method of monitoring is more cost-effective than hospitalization, reducing healthcare costs.
Promotes Patient Engagement
Wearable technology can encourage patients to take an active role in their healthcare, empowering them to monitor their health status and health behaviours. This self-management of health can help to foster healthy habits.
Improved Early Detection and Prevention
Wearable technology can help to detect health issues before they become serious, which can facilitate early intervention and prevention. For instance, a wearable device that monitors glucose levels can detect a drop in sugar and warn the wearer to seek medical assistance, preventing the development of a potentially fatal diabetic crisis.
Enhanced Personalization and Precision of Healthcare Treatment
Individualized healthcare can be facilitated through wearable technology. Wearable healthcare devices enable providers to tailor treatment options based on specific patient metrics that are measured in real-time using the device. As providers obtain more data on individual patients, they can give better recommendations tailored for each patient.
Challenges Limiting Adoption of Wearable Technology in Healthcare Delivery
Although there are significant benefits to incorporating wearable technology into healthcare delivery, several challenges need to be addressed to make this a reality.
Privacy and Security Concerns
Wearable technology contains personal patient information, making privacy and security a key challenge in healthcare delivery. Measures must be put in place to ensure that the data collected is only used for healthcare purposes and is protected from cyber-attacks.
Limitations of Wearable Devices
Some wearable devices have technical limitations, such as accuracy of data collected, battery life, and ease of use. Healthcare providers should ensure that the devices are suitable for use among patients.
Pushback from Healthcare Professionals
Some healthcare providers may be hesitant to embrace wearable technology due to a lack of experience using the devices, uncertainty regarding their functionality or to avoid taking on new responsibilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, wearable technology has enormous potential for revolutionising healthcare delivery in the NHS. The benefits of using wearable devices in healthcare outweigh any of the challenges. As such, healthcare providers and policymakers must work to address these challenges and leverage the potential of wearable technology to benefit patients’ health outcomes.
