Wearable Tech as Medical Devices Revolutionize Healthcare

Public Relations
healthcare-pr 06.26.14

The possibilities for wearable tech have introduced many opportunities to better track health and provide quick access to data for practitioners.

The introduction of these smart, wearable medical devices carries the potential of revolutionizing the healthcare industry and healthcare public relations and marketing industries and redefining the patient experience as we know it.

Here are some tips on regulated medical devices and how they could change how diabetes is monitored, managed and treated.

HEALTHCARE PUBLIC RELATIONS MARKETING

What are these monitoring tools capable of?

Wearable technology provides endless opportunities for doctors to deliver better care to patients. By enabling smart tracking and data management capabilities, timely care can be administered to patients and preventive steps can be taken to intervene when necessary.

Opportunities in wearable tech monitoring devices

  • Tracking behaviors of patients
    • Identifying patterns that put individuals at risk of illness and future complications
    • Monitoring patient progress as behaviors change and their impact on personal health
    • Automated data can trigger alerts for physicians when anomalies occur
    • Provide more cost-effective care to patients while improving patient income

Monitoring diabetes

Wearable medical devices can monitor glucose consistently around the clock. A continuous glucose monitor can alert physicians and patients on rapid changes in A1C levels. These monitors can help patients predict trends in glucose changes by tracking information throughout the day.

This empowers patients with the ability to monitor their own habits and make informed decisions about lifestyle changes that could improve their overall health and help them properly manager their condition.

The real time data can be accessed by the patient and physician, enabling both parties to work together collaboratively to improve patient behavior. The software supporting the solution assembles and organizes the data in a way that makes it actionable.

Diagnosing diabetes and following behavioral patterns

A pilot initiative recently launched by Cigna showcases the potential of having such a program in place. As a part of the pilot program, all employees were told to wear BodyMedia armbands.

Thousands of employees were told to wear the sensors for a specified amount of time. The data collected via these armbands made it possible to identify people who were at risk for developing diabetes. As a part of the program, individuals were supplied with their risk profile highlighting their potential for developing the condition.

Employers reasoned that it was possible to bend the cost curve in supplying this information directly to patients. Having access to this real time data makes it possible to address health risk factors earlier on before they become actual conditions.

Wearable technology will change the way diabetes is treated and diagnosed. Individuals can wear these tracking devices and have personal health information tracked around the clock. An individual can provide information to clinicians to help them make decisions to improve the patient’s lifestyle.

Making this information directly available to individuals also helps a person make better decisions in their everyday life. It’s crucial to adapt in the changing market – both Healthcare PR and Digital health have never been more crucial to the viability and visibility of your company.

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