Wearable technology has revolutionized the way doctors, trainers, and nurses practice
medicine. From hospitals to sports fields, these devices allow large quantities of real-time data to be transferred to a database that analyzes and gives personalized feedback and recommendations for how to care for the patient. Once reserved for top-tier athletes or well-funded hospital wards, wearable technology is being adopted by the general public, improving everyday people’s health.
Products like the Apple Watch and Fitbit give relatively easy access to important medical
information, especially for those who are active. These products measure physical actions and behaviors throughout the day. Similarly, more high-tech devices such as ECG monitors and biosensors give medical professionals live updates to patients’ data in the hospital bed or
following release. As a result of these improvements, it’s not surprising that the intersection of healthcare and technology has been further connected as new data analytics and bio-themed technology are released constantly.
According to reports, the sector of wearable medical technology is projected to reach
beyond 60 billion dollars in global sales (EY 2020). Companies such as Microsoft and Nike
invest heavily in the smartwatch industry that appeals to a growing health-conscious consumer base.
North Carolina-based healthcare giant, Atrium Health, has begun using Fitbit technology to
help treat a wide range of patients in their hospitals. The technology provides them with crucial data regarding blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate, and more by the second instead of taking constant measurements.
Technology has created a more efficient workplace and dramatically decreased both costs for hospitals nationwide with a “17% […] cost savings”, and according to a KLAS Research report, a “38% reduction [in] hospital admissions” (Healthtech Magazine 2020).
With both reductions, wearable technology in the healthcare industry has made a positive impact on the UX/UI sector as well. By allowing customers and patients of all ages, especially the elderly generations, to get more direct involvement in their health, their tech literacy will
improve due to their daily interactions with high tech monitors and health systems. These data points and continued usage are incredibly useful in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well.
Validic, another North Carolina-based healthcare company, has created wearable
technology that allows medical professionals and patients to track Covid-19 symptoms in
real-time, giving professionals access to breathing patterns and oxygen intake based on
saturation data.
A global health crisis like COVID-parallels the global uptake of wearable
healthcare across the world. Market initiatives in nations like India and China have resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of firms that specialize in the field and the total expected revenue gains. In India alone, wearable technology and biotech firms have increased by 300% to keep up with rising public and private demand (Health Informatics 2020). China has taken a more pharmaceutical approach, investing in gene sequencing and developing on-body monitors and blood drawing techniques to analyze gene-editing technology.
Wearable technology and healthcare have become increasingly popular, and their
continued usage aims to propel healthcare to a new level. Sports health, hospital health, and just daily monitoring will all add to expanding data sets, giving producers and manufacturers a clearer picture of what to make in the future and what will help healthcare improve through technology.