In recent years, there has been an unprecedented surge in the use of health wearable devices by consumers. From smartwatches to fitness trackers, continuous glucose monitors, and more, these devices have revolutionized how we monitor our health. This surge is not just a passing trend; it’s opening the doors to measuring new health insights that are both relevant and indicative of a patient’s daily activities. These insights are invaluable for improving chronic disease management.
Why is Wearable Device Data Vital for Chronic Care Management?
During medical consultations, doctors typically measure vital signs and conduct lab tests. However, these measurements represent mere snapshots of a patient’s health. Lab tests at consultation time can be costly and don’t capture the patient’s state throughout the day or fluctuations tied to daily activities. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the patient’s condition and improve chronic disease control, long-term, continuous monitoring is key.
While doctors conduct tests for measuring various vital signs and lab measurements during consultations, these just represent a snapshot of the patient’s state. The snapshot measurements of lab tests at consultation time tend to be costly and lack a representation of patient state throughout the day and any fluctuations that might be correlated to everyday activities. Therefore, long-term and continuous monitoring of the patient state can be helpful and more insightful in better understanding of the patient state and chronic disease control.
What does this mean to my chronic care managment?
- Early Alerts for Complications: With the continuous monitoring of vital signs and glucose, the collected data can be useful for predicting the onset of episodic complications such as exacerbations in Asthma or hypoglycemia in diabetes. With powerful data analysis, early warnings of complications can be extracted to alert the patient, in efforts to prevent adverse events.
- Patient-Centric Approach: Many of the wearable devices are connected to patient apps where notifications, data collection and use interface can be customized to allow for better experience and adherence.
- Sharing Insights with Doctors: The collected continuous data from wearable devices can be shared with the doctors where they can see informative insights that be useful for making lifestyle recommendations such as nutritional and exercise plans to improve patient outcomes.
- Engaging Caregivers : With the wealth of collected data, caregivers can be also included in the loop by receiving live patient reading updates and reminders, where you can care for their loved ones remotely.
The Future of Chronic Care Management
As we move forward, the role of wearable devices in chronic care management will only expand. These devices are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with advancements in sensors, data analysis, and connectivity. This progression promises more accurate data, better patient engagement, and improved health outcomes.
Moreover, ongoing research and clinical trials are exploring innovative applications of wearable technology in managing various chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Wearable health devices are a cornerstone in the transition from reactive to proactive care, allowing healthcare providers to address health issues before they escalate.
In this evolving landscape, iO Health remains committed to harnessing the potential of wearable health devices. We continuously adapt our solutions to accommodate the ever-growing stream of health data, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care. Together, we’re redefining chronic care management, creating a future where health and technology converge for the well-being of all.
At iO, check how your wearable data can be integrated into your digital twin for personalizing care journeys and getting health insights for the next-gen chronic care management!
Join us in this exciting journey of healthcare innovation, where wearable health devices play a pivotal role in shaping a healthier tomorrow!
