Although wearable tech in the health care space technically might stretch back into the earliest times of pacemakers, the current era of wearable tech started only in the past decade. What was then a relatively simple medical apparatus, is now one of the most popular forms of consumer electronics and technology. Why? The answer is multifold.
Mobility and versatility are the two biggest advantages of wearable tech. With devices such as the Apple iPhone and smart phones, consumers are now able to access their health information at any time and from anywhere. With devices such as Fitbit and Jawbone, users are able to track their exercise and workout routines on a continuous basis. In addition, with devices such as Theraputty, patients are able to monitor their blood pressure and heart rate while on the go. As you can see, there are endless possibilities for what can be done with these devices.
Perhaps the most important advantage of this type of technology is that it can help to reduce healthcare costs. Devices such as the Apple iPhone and smart phones have revolutionized the way that patients receive medical information. By making use of smart phones, patients can browse through apps and obtain vital information and track their health issues with ease. With wearable tech, physicians can take advantage of this new medium to communicate to patients about common health issues and monitor their progress in real-time.
Furthermore, these devices allow for greater mobility for healthcare providers. Traditionally, physicians would need to make multiple trips to a specialist such as a cardiologist or surgeon in order to obtain necessary medical details. With wearable tech, doctors can acquire these details from the comfort of their own office. Additionally, this technology also allows for better communication between patients and their healthcare providers. As a result, health issues that used to require multiple visits can now be managed in one visit. This greatly reduces the time that patients are admitted to hospital and significantly reduces unnecessary medication.
Another key benefit of using wearable tech is that they can help reduce your healthcare costs. In particular, it has been shown that seniors who use digital devices to keep track of their health are more aware of the value of regular medical check-ups. More importantly, these consumers are less likely to skip regular check-ups because they are more aware of the importance of maintaining good health. As a result, they are more likely to visit their doctor when recommended by their physicians and are more likely to utilize medical services and stay healthy.
Perhaps the largest area in which these devices can benefit vulnerable patients is in rehabilitation. Due to physical limitations, many people suffer from certain disabilities that make it difficult for them to function normally in their everyday lives. Because of this, many people find that traditional rehab programs are not very helpful for them. As a result, many people have to resort to using wearables in rehabilitation programs such as exercise programs and speech therapy. Not only are these devices very beneficial to their users, but they are also very cost effective.
As technology improves, we are also seeing more innovative applications in areas such as marketing, advertising and healthcare. In fact, the application of wearable tech may prove to be very useful to consumers in these areas as well. For example, with more consumers becoming “weary” of traditional advertisements, it makes sense for businesses to focus their efforts on capturing their consumers’ physical activity habits.
If you own a business that needs to target a specific group of consumers, wearable devices offer a unique solution. By offering information about their physical activity level via an Apple Watch or an Android smartwatch, businesses can take advantage of technology to target their customers in unique and powerful ways. At the same time, consumers can access these information in real-time without worrying about the potential invasion of privacy. As we move into the future, there is no telling what innovative applications will surface for this exciting technology.