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Overview:

Wearables are changing the healthcare landscape by offering numerous benefits. But they are not without their limitations. Read the blog to know more.

Wearable medical technology refers to the electronic devices that can be worn as accessories or as part of the clothing to allow real-time monitoring of health parameters. Thanks to the rapid advances in healthcare technology, biosensor technology has improved in accuracy and this along with small battery sizes has made these wearables extremely compact making them convenient for daily use.

• Wearables make use of sensors that monitor vital signs, fitness activity and sleep patterns to name just a few of the parameters they can track.
• These parameters give valuable information that can be used to make changes to our lifestyles to improve overall health.
• However, the use of wearables is not limited to just general wellness – it extends further into cardiac care, diabetes management, and other fields too.
• Earlier, this was data that could only be obtained through a doctor visit.
• Now, wearables have made possible continuous monitoring of health information be it at the gym, office or home.
• They can also store the health information and even give reminders regarding medication.

Types of Wearables in Healthcare

Fitness Trackers:

• We are all familiar with these kinds of wearables.
• They keep track of various parameters like pulse, sleep, calories burned, steps taken, etc. and help enhance overall well-being.
• While watches are the form of fitness trackers we are most familiar with, other forms include bracelets, rings and even active wear that is embedded with sensors which track fitness parameters.
• While choosing a fitness tracker, it is necessary to keep in mind the features that matter to you the most.
• Battery life, compatibility with your mobile device and whether it needs to be waterproof are also factors to consider. 

Wearable Blood Pressure Monitors

• Worldwide, cardiovascular conditions are responsible for around 1 billion deaths, and hypertension, or increased blood pressure (BP), is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
• BP control is thus essential for improving outcomes.
• This demands that any increase in blood pressure be detected early.
• The wearable BP monitors are attached to the patient’s right or left arm and the values are read on the mobile phone it has been linked to.
• Other than BP readings, pulse, arterial pressure, etc. can also be measured with these.
• These monitors allow for continuous BP monitoring and help detect fluctuations early.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device (CGM):

• This is usually recommended for people who have a diabetic condition.
• It helps monitor sugar levels continuously and hence allows for improved blood sugar level control.
• The device uses a sensor that is inserted just below the skin and measures the glucose in the interstitial fluid.
• The sensor readings are transmitted to your linked mobile phone on which they can be read. This helps in quick detection of any increase in blood glucose levels.
• As healthcare technology advances, improved CGM devices keep hitting the market.
• Some CGMs connect to insulin pumps for automated delivery of insulin if the situation so demands.
• However, it is essential to talk to your doctor before deciding on the CGM device for you.

Wearable ECG Monitor:

• An electrocardiogram or ECG monitors the heart’s electrical activity and identifies heart rhythm abnormalities.
• Hospital ECG machines are bulky and come with 10-12 leads that need to be attached to the patient’s body.
• In contrast, a wearable ECG monitor comes in various compact forms that can be worn on the patient’s body.
• They have just 1 or 2 leads and measure the heart’s electrical activity continuously. Thus, they can pick up transient abnormalities that could be missed by a hospital ECG machine.
• However, as they have only a couple of leads, they might not be as accurate as hospital ECG machines.
• Further, sweat and moisture on the skin too could affect readings.
• Hence, though these devices are very useful, doctors recommend an ECG test at the hospital once in 6 months while tracking heart health with these wearables in-between hospital visits.

Other than the wearables that are listed above, there are many others too. They include fall prediction devices, respiratory rate monitors, seizure detection devices, etc. Your doctor would be the best person to advice you if you are considering getting one.

Limitations of Wearables

• Data privacy and data security are the two main challenges associated with wearables.
• While companies are working to ensure both privacy and security, there is still some way to go.
• The accuracy of these devices too is not failproof.
• As user behaviour determines the results, these devices need to be tested in a wider range of conditions to make them more reliable.

Wearables – The Way of the Future?

Healthcare leaders and doctors do recognize the potential wearables possess to improve patient outcomes. However, as we have seen, wearables are not without their deficiencies. Yet, they do seem to be here to stay. There are quite a few reasons for this:

• Other than the obvious benefit that they empower patients with health information to take charge of their health, insurers too use the data collected by wearables to suggest appropriate health plans to people.
• Doctors use the data to detect incipient conditions and this greatly helps in prevention as well as early treatment.
• Companies encourage employees to use them to cultivate healthy lifestyle habits.
• Hence, though there are a few limitations, the benefits wearables offer are too great to ignore.
• With time, as healthcare technology improves further, we believe that wearables too will come to possess improved accuracy and reliability making them good allies for healthcare professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are wearable medical devices?

Wearable medical devices are gadgets worn as accessories or integrated into clothing that track health parameters like heart rate, sleep, and activity in real-time.

What types of wearables are commonly used in healthcare?

Popular types include fitness trackers, blood pressure monitors, continuous glucose monitoring devices (CGMs), and wearable ECG monitors.

How do Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices work?

CGMs use a sensor under the skin to track glucose levels in real-time, transmitting the data to a linked smartphone for better diabetes management.

Are wearable ECG monitors reliable?

Wearable ECG monitors are useful for tracking heart health but are less accurate than hospital-grade ECG machines. Regular medical check-ups are still essential.

What are the main challenges of using wearables?

Challenges include concerns over data privacy, security, and occasional inaccuracies due to user behavior or environmental factors.

Can wearable devices replace regular doctor visits?

No, wearable devices are a supplement to healthcare. They help with continuous monitoring but should be used alongside regular medical consultations.