Wearable tech refers to devices people can wear on their wrists, in jewelry or even under their clothing for monitoring health values, staying connected with healthcare providers, and encouraging positive lifestyle changes. Some of these gadgets interact with one another and send alerts when complications occur or goals are reached; others track data on an individual’s body as they go about their day.
Many wearable technologies rely on machine learning to make predictions and personalized health recommendations. Unfortunately, this process requires access to vast amounts of data from many people, meaning wearable tech may have a major impact on our privacy – particularly when it comes to personal information.
The Fogg Behavior Model
Wearable technology has the potential to encourage healthier habits by providing motivation and reminders when needed. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always translate into actual healthy behavior in everyday life.
Making changes can be particularly challenging for those with a busy lifestyle, such as those working full-time jobs or raising children.
For many people, this can be a major obstacle; however, it is only temporary. Wearables are only effective when they provide users with daily feedback that motivates them to improve their health and reach their fitness objectives.
Many wearables, such as fitness trackers and smart clothing, connect to an app that can display and interact with data from the device. These apps then send this data to healthcare professionals for analysis and reporting – helping patients get the most out of their wearables and care plan.
These apps provide doctors with a valuable tool to track their patients’ progress and motivate them to adopt healthier lifestyles. However, they should never replace regular one-on-one visits with a physician and their care team; thus, pairing these apps with an experienced primary care provider will guarantee that patients receive adequate attention and support.
In the long run, wearable technology could be particularly advantageous for patients with lower incomes who struggle to maintain healthy habits. Studies suggest these individuals tend to have poorer health outcomes, so having access to this type of device could prove immensely beneficial for them.
They can be especially beneficial for patients living in the community and those with disabilities that make it difficult to move around independently. Furthermore, these devices help them remain connected to loved ones and healthcare providers, which may be essential in some cases.
Overall, wearable technology is a positive development for both patients and physicians. It can save doctors time by cutting down patient visits, providing more accurate data to healthcare providers, improving overall patient satisfaction, efficiency, and outcomes. Unfortunately, the technology is still at an early stage and needs further development before it can be widely adopted on a large scale.
