How Smartwatches Engage Patients in Monitoring Their Health

Wearable medical devices are trending and changing the fabric of healthcare. Spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, wearable devices allow remote patient monitoring and self-monitoring as well. The industry growth is projected to be at 28.1% from 2022 to 2030.  Smartwatches are front and center of the surge.

Smartwatch Technology

Smartwatches are among the most popular wearable medical devices these days. The earliest version of a smartwatch came on the scene in 1972 but was a far cry from the more modern versions. 

Smartwatches are wearable computers in the form of a wristwatch that provides a touchscreen interface. Smartwatches offer all the technological services of a desktop or laptop computer and can be connected to Bluetooth. They are also able to function as smartphones.

Smartwatches in the Medical Realm

Although smartwatches as we know them haven’t even been around for a decade, they are already making great strides in the world of healthcare and selfcare. 

Wearable healthcare technology is electronic devices consumers can wear, like smartwatches, that are designed to collect personal date health and also to reveal information about exercise. The devices can send and receive vital health statistics to healthcare professionals about a user’s real-time or near-time health such as notifying a care team when a patient’s heart rate is too high or low. The watches can also give the wearer crucial information like how many steps or miles they’ve walked in a given period of time or what their glucose reading is. 

As a person relaxes for a pedicure in a reclining spa chair, it is now possible for their vitals to be monitored. Not only can the results alert medics if the vitals aren’t favorable, they can also clue them in if they are good. A diabetic or heart patient may be surprised how much of a positive difference a little pampering makes.in the overall health.  

Some of the many ways smartwatches help individuals manage their health and wellbeing include:

Automatic Monitoring

Smartwatches are able to collect health data such as heart rate variability, sleep duration, and number of calories that are burned. Although not quite perfected yet, these capabilities are improving every day. The need for such devices was made apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic and progression is underway so that they can collect as much data as a trip to the doctor’s office would. 

Health Care Messages

It’s imperative to receive healthcare messages in a timely manner. Smartwatches work like cell phones, messaging notifications. Smartphones go a step further though. They are more convenient to access since they are worn on the wrist, plus they allow the user to experience regular check-ins about their health status and goals.  They can be set to remind patients to take medication, to get to an appointment, and whatever else is on the schedule. 

Track Progress on Goals

Staying on target of healthcare goals often involve setting and meeting personal goals as well. Smartwatches can track progress which can be extremely motivating. The apps can map out the journey and notify when a goal is met. 

Types of Smartwatches for Healthcare

There are many types of smartwatches that serve a multitude of important purposes including:

• Biosensing watches
• Wearable blood pressure watches
• Glucose monitoring watches
• Wearable EEG monitors

Continued Strides

As medical technology continues to evolve, it will continue to improve healthcare and selfcare with wise inventions such as the smartwatch.