Pratik Saraogi, CEO, ActoFit explains that the field of medical wearable technology has emerged as one of the most promising among them. These clever devices actively record physiological parameters and monitor metabolic state, which not only helps individuals lead healthier lives but also gives a steady supply of health care data for disease diagnosis and treatment
In recent years, the field of smart wearable devices has grown quickly due to the advent of mobile medicine, the development of new technologies like smart sensing, and the acceptance of personalised health concepts. The field of medical wearable technology has emerged as one of the most promising among them. These clever devices actively record physiological parameters and monitor metabolic state, which not only helps individuals lead healthier lives but also gives a steady supply of health care data for disease diagnosis and treatment. Wearable medical technology can potentially dominate the mobile medical market in the future.
Healthcare trackers serve as the first touch point that serve as primary indicators, given their use-case in the users day to day lifestyle routine. Portability, easy to use, affordability are all factors that allow mass penetration.
Wearables are tiny electronic gadgets that can monitor a variety of bodily functions, including temperature, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, breathing rate, sound, GPS location, elevation, physical movement, direction changes, and skin and heart activity.
This wealth of data can be used to monitor calorie intake, physical activity, stress, inadequate sleep, cognitive loss, and even early indications of infection and inflammation. What we can’t measure, we can’t manage. Wearables give us the ability to continuously assess our health and wellbeing without having to go to a clinic and to act right away when necessary.
With devastating results like greater hospitalisation rates for COVID-19, people from low-income areas, the chronically ill, and elderly citizens are among the numerous communities that are frequently ignored. The most effective forms of wearable technology are connected devices like heart rate monitors, blood pressure cuffs, and blood sugar monitors.
Chronic illnesses are expensive both emotionally and financially. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, some healthcare organisations are redesigning their workflows to encourage “care in place.” Digital wellness wearables can help in the timely referral of patients to outpatient or inpatient settings for preventive treatment or for prompt intervention before the condition becomes difficult to control. Patients may be better able to participate in self-care and the healthcare ecosystem with the help of wearables. Wearable technology may also help give individualised care and make it easier to do so where patients are most comfortable.
Any medical profession could benefit from the usage of wearables and connected health devices. However, the most significant application would be in the treatment of chronic diseases including diabetes, PCOS, PCOD, arrhythmia, etc.
Regardless of age and gender, wearables may have a substantial impact on population health and wellness. Most importantly, wearables may contribute to improve access to timely care and treatment regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or location.