Why are Doctors Wary of Wearable Technology?
Wearable technology in healthcare is gaining popularity, but concerns exist about data accuracy and reliability. Doctors and experts are cautious about relying solely on data from wearables for medical decisions. Wearables can encourage healthy habits, but the importance of standardisation and data accuracy is crucial.
These devices claim to monitor various health metrics like exercise, body temperature, heart rate, and sleep patterns. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has proposed distributing wearables to millions of NHS patients in England to track symptoms remotely.
Despite the potential benefits, many doctors and tech experts remain cautious about relying on data collected by wearables. Some individuals have shared personal experiences where wearables accurately predicted health issues, such as detecting early signs of illness.
Dr. Jake Deutsch, a clinician advising the Oura smart ring, believes that wearable data can provide valuable insights into overall health. However, not all healthcare professionals share this view. Dr. Helen Salisbury, a GP in Oxford, expresses concerns about the increasing trend of patients using wearables.
She worries that constant monitoring may lead to unnecessary medical visits and create a culture of hypochondria. Dr. Salisbury emphasises the importance of maintaining healthy habits, suggesting that wearables can reinforce existing health advice given by doctors for years.
The Apple Watch, a leading smartwatch globally, has highlighted stories of lives saved due to its health tracking features. However, concerns exist about false positives and the reliability of data captured by wearables. Dr. Yang Wei, an expert in wearable technologies, points out practical challenges such as power consumption and data accuracy.
He explains that movement can introduce inaccuracies in the data collected by wearables. Dr. Wei stresses the need for standardisation in wearable technology to ensure data accuracy and reliability. He also mentions the importance of consistent wear for accurate data collection.
While wearables offer potential benefits, there are challenges in integrating patient-generated data into healthcare systems. Pritesh Mistry, a digital technologies fellow, acknowledges the value of wearables in shifting care to community settings but highlights the need for robust technology infrastructure and workforce training to support this transition.
Wearable technology in healthcare is gaining popularity, but concerns exist about data accuracy and reliability.
Doctors and experts are cautious about relying solely on data from wearables for medical decisions.
Wearables can encourage healthy habits, but the importance of standardisation and data accuracy is crucial.
Source: BBC