Healthcare professionals are questioning the reliability of wearable technology’s health data, citing potential issues with accuracy, noise in the collected data, and device malfunction. Some doctors argue that wearing wearables can lead to over-monitoring, creating a society of hypochondria, while others acknowledge the benefits of these devices in encouraging good habits.
A proposal to give millions of NHS patients in England wearable technology to track symptoms like reactions to cancer treatments has sparked concerns among doctors. Despite the benefits of wearable data in tracking exercise routines and body temperature, many clinicians remain cautious about relying on it for diagnosis.
Dr. Helen Salisbury, a GP at Oxford, warns that there can be multiple reasons for abnormal readings, such as device malfunction or temporary blips in the body. She emphasizes that patients should not rely solely on their wearables but rather follow established advice like maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.
Several challenges need to be addressed before wearable technology can be widely adopted in healthcare settings. For instance, there is no international standard for wearables, and data formats are inconsistent. Movement of the wearer or device can also introduce noise into the collected data, affecting accuracy.
Tech experts point out that while devices like Apple Watch have saved lives with accurate heart tracking, cases of false positives need to be better understood. Dr. Yang Wei notes that measuring ECG continuously on a wearable is less reliable than using hospital equipment, which is plugged into a power source.
The future of wearable technology in healthcare lies in improving the accuracy and reliability of data collection. With proper infrastructure and workforce training, wearables can play a valuable role in pushing care out of hospitals and into community settings.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79zpzdv4vno