Wearable Health Tech: Innovations and Impacts on Chronic Disease Management

Just a few decades ago, for a patient to gain insight into their current health prognosis, they would have to set up an appointment with their provider. They would then get lab tests, wait for the doctor to read them, and then communicate the results to the patient. Long, drawn-out processes limit immediate care opportunities.

For those who manage chronic diseases and may be living at home or in a nursing facility, the use of wearable health tech can drastically improve patient-doctor care. It may even help to save a person’s life over time. A study from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, found that the use of wearables within a healthcare setting and at home for chronic disease management improved odds.

Wearable devices, such as a glucose meter device or a defibrillator and pacemaker, can provide valuable and real-time information to a healthcare provider so that decisions can be made to protect the patient. These devices typically provide a very specific type of service, such as capturing the blood sugar of a patient. They link to Wi-Fi and transmit data directly to a healthcare provider, and that provider can take action if needed to bring the patient in for care.

Innovations in wearable health tech for chronic conditions

Science and technology come together with wearable devices, providing a clear benefit to anyone who may need careful and tedious management of disease symptoms. Gone are the days when a simple heart rate monitor or pedometer would provide the only information about a person’s health and well-being.

Today, they can accomplish a wide range of tasks:

• Determine sleep quality and quantity
• Provide a heart rate and rhythm analysis
• Measure blood glucose levels
• Provide respiration management
• Monitor blood pressure
• Complete electrocardiograms
• Check for fevers

Consider the benefits. For example, the use of a glucose meter can capture a patient’s blood glucose figure and transmit that information to the person’s healthcare provider. If that patient is just coming on board for treatment through medication, this type of wearable technology enables doctors to pinpoint what’s causing the blood sugar spikes or if a specific medication level is appropriate. When choosing a glucose meter, it’s crucial to consider various factors such as accuracy, ease of use, and data sharing capabilities to ensure seamless integration with overall health management

Another example could center around sleep. Instead of a patient visiting a medical center for a sleep study that is fully uncomfortable and challenging to maintain, they can use a wearable device at home. These devices can track sleep quality and quantity, allowing medical providers to have more insight into what the patient’s complications may be.

Benefits of wearable health tech for patients

Many types of diseases change in severity from one appointment to the next. Yet, there’s often a lot of leeway in between those situations. Consider a few examples of how wearable health tech is transforming the way healthcare providers monitor and support chronic health conditions.

• Improve patient engagement – Not only do devices communicate valuable health data, but they also help patients to routinely monitor their own health data. This helps patients to remain engaged in their health.
• Reduces healthcare cost – Fewer trips to the emergency room or urgent care, along with improvements to efficient management of chronic conditions, and reduced overall costs. Patients get help when they need it, sometimes before there is a medical emergency.
• Health monitoring over time – Those with chronic disease face an ongoing risk of the condition worsening. With a wearable device, documents can see the slow progression or climb of the health complication, providing a way for the patient to get help sooner.
• Wearable technology is better than relying on human information – If a patient’s blood sugars must be monitored to determine proper medication, it is easier to count on wearable technology to support this process instead of assuming a patient will document their information.
• Improved health – Another side benefit of the use of wearable technology is that it offers patients more insight into their own health. For example, a notification that they are not getting good sleep may help a person to change their habits. Increasing step counts could also be helpful here.

Wearable health technology challenges and limitations

Numerous potential factors cloud the benefits wearable health technology seems to offer, at least if no other steps are taken to mitigate those risks. Some of the most common challenges with healthcare wearable technology include:

• High initial cost – It can be challenging to get insurance providers to consistently pay for these wearable devices. New programs are emerging to make them more accessible.
• Data privacy concerns – If the system is not secured and maintained over time, this can lead to serious loss of personal information. Modern solutions utilize encryption to eliminate such risks.
• Accuracy and reliability factors – Utilization of high-quality and reliable tools and then educating patients on how to properly use them is critical to finding success with wearable technology.

Future trends in wearable health tech for chronic disease management

The world of technology continues to flex and change, bringing with it new opportunities for advancement in wearable technology. Studies show that wearables empower users to get better care and take responsibility for their health.

In the future, such tools may provide more hands-on recommendations, such as dosing for insulin shots based on monitored levels. They can also incorporate more data-rich insights to allow doctors and patients to get a better idea of how their health is trending.

Wearable technology provides a clear opportunity for improving overall health and well-being. That is especially true in the area of chronic disease management. 

Photo credit: Sitthiphong, Getty Images

Steven John Cumper, B.App.Sc. (Osteo.), M.Ost., is a businessman with a strong background in biomedical science and osteopathic medicine. He founded Medshop & ScrubsIQ while studying at RMIT University in Australia, expanding its reach to markets in Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and Malaysia. In September 2021, the Bunzl Group acquired a majority stake in Medshop, but Cumper remains involved as the Managing Director (Medshop Group). His journey from Zimbabwe to the UK and Australia reflects his dedication to academia and entrepreneurship, combining diverse knowledge and experience.

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