How wearable devices encourage patient engagement

Wearable devices make it easier than ever for patients to actively participate in their own care . Features like step counters , heart rate monitors and sleep trackers allow patients to easily gather data about their daily behaviours and habits .

This quantifiable data empowers patients by increasing awareness about their own bodies and health and enables them to spot meaningful trends and patterns . Patients are thus motivated to make lifestyle changes to positively impact the health metrics displayed through their wearable devices .

In addition , the convenience of wearables means patients can track health factors in real-time throughout the day , rather than only when at a doctor ’ s appointment . This helps patients feel more continually connected to their health journey and in charge of their lives .

Data for decision-making

Wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers are no longer novelties and as the market finds itself at the maturity stages , it is truly transforming healthcare . Wearable devices are now empowering users to take greater control of monitoring and managing their own health . As these devices become more sophisticated and widely adopted , they promise to shift the patient-provider dynamic towards greater collaboration and ownership by patients over their health data and care decisions . Martin Sandhu , CEO of digital transformation and healthcare company , nuom , explains how this technology is shifting healthcare trends .

In the past , health data was confined to sporadic lab tests and GP visit measurements – such as the dreaded weigh-ins or blood pressure measurements . Now thanks to wearables , patients have access to a continuous stream of personal data , that includes resting heart rates , calorie burning and fat loss analysis , menstrual cycle information and efficacy of any physical activity or rest periods .

This data shifts discussions with healthcare providers to focus more on the lifestyle factors that patients can control day-to-day , rather than solely relying on medication or other clinical interventions . Armed with objective data from their wearable device , patients can have more meaningful discussions with their doctors about what treatment plans and health goals make the most sense for their unique needs and circumstances .

Patient access to data is crucial

A key aspect of empowering patients through wearable devices is private access to health data . Regulations about patients being able to access their medical records also apply to wearable data that patients generate

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