Patient Empowerment and Continuous Monitoring
Wearable and portable medical devices have been established as a staple in the industry. These devices continue to gain popularity due to their ability to help both providers and patients with the proper execution of healthcare plans. Whether it is with reminders to follow medical regimens or monitoring vital signs, these devices help raise awareness and stick to treatments diligently.
Continuous monitoring is also a great tool to get insights on treatment effectiveness. For example, if a patient’s blood pressure isn’t responding to medication, through monitoring, these devices can help highlight the need for adjustments, giving doctors the information they need to make precise decisions.
Additionally, these devices can help doctors know if patients are actively engaging with treatments. We have often seen situations where a patient, for different reasons, will refuse to use, for example, an oximeter machine or any other variety of treatment tools while failing to disclose this to their doctor. This adds a layer of value for wearable devices, where they become more than a tool for data gathering but a key factor in patient engagement and responsibility.
Related: See how the Murata Type 2AB module can integrate into wearable applications
Telehealth and the Impact of Wearable Devices on Remote Healthcare
Telehealth leverages wearable devices to reach its full potential. Thanks to these devices, doctors and patients can benefit from the convenience, accessibility and efficiency of telehealth without compromising the quality of care.
With an array of data available at the patient’s wrist, the need for in-person visits is immensely reduced. In some cases, wearable devices can even replace the need for some physical exams, growing the telehealth ecosystem and allowing patients to monitor some of their own conditions from the comfort of their homes. This innovation empowers patients who might find some types of exams to be too personal or invasive, giving them the information they need to adjust accordingly or simply report to their doctor remotely.
Related: Littelfuse C&K NanoT Tactile Switches for health wearables
Wearables and Consumer Awareness: Encouraging Preventative Healthcare
Wearable devices have also increased the awareness of health-conscious consumers to unprecedented levels. As Allen explained during our discussion, “before all this technology, you wouldn’t know you had a blood pressure problem or a respiratory issue until you actually had to go see a doctor.”
These devices allow people to track their heart rate, oxygen levels, and more without needing a doctor’s visit. This real-time access to health data has made the average consumer more aware of their health and more proactive in seeking care before a crisis.
This brings our attention to preventative care, which is another area where wearable devices truly come to shine. Medical professionals are focusing on preventing conditions like diabetes and heart disease before they fully develop. By catching warning signs early, doctors can help patients make lifestyle changes or adjust their treatment plans before their condition worsens.
As Allen noted, the focus is on “preventing the patient from going diabetic if they’re borderline diabetic” or preventing heart disease in patients with high blood pressure. Wearable devices are the ideal tool to help in this endeavor, allowing patients and doctors to monitor vital signs such as blood sugar and blood pressure in real-time, which makes a vast difference for early intervention.
Insurance companies and employers are encouraging patients to take advantage of these preventative measures. Annual check-ups and tests, often tied to wearable devices, provide early data that can help prevent more serious health problems down the line.
The appeal of wearables isn’t just limited to their medical utility. The user-friendly design of these devices and their apps also play a part in their mass adoption. Nowadays, everyone wants, has, or has considered getting a smartwatch. The ease of use and sleek front-end design play a significant role in the growth of the wearable market. It is now easy to see these futuristic gadgets being integrated into our daily lives, and with a vast range of options for different tastes and preferences, there’s something to benefit any demographic.
Before we move on to our last article in the series, The Sensor-Driven Healthcare of Tomorrow, do you have any Health and Wellness projects you’d like to take to the next level?
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