Here's how you can navigate the risks and benefits of using wearable technology in healthcare careers.

Before diving into the world of wearable technology, it's essential to comprehend what these devices are and how they function. Wearable tech in healthcare typically refers to electronic devices that patients can wear, like smartwatches or fitness trackers, which monitor health-related metrics such as heart rate, sleep patterns, and physical activity. These gadgets collect data that can be invaluable for tracking a patient's health status and can be used to make informed decisions about their care.

Before integrating wearable technology into your practice, it's crucial to understand these devices and their functionalities thoroughly. Wearable technology in healthcare encompasses electronic devices like smartwatches, fitness trackers, and specialized medical devices that patients wear to monitor various health metrics such as heart rate, sleep patterns, physical activity, and even blood glucose levels. These devices continuously collect real-time data, offering a comprehensive view of a patient’s health status over time. This data can be invaluable in making informed clinical decisions, personalizing patient care, and detecting early signs of health issues.

Yo uso un reloj inteligente, para monitorear mi salud y no lo uso, deberíamos tener esa costumbre? Creo que cada día nos robotizamos más.. en fin

There is a lot of information around about different technologies. For those who are completely new, start with the basics: definitions, the tech used, the goals and what other industries are using them. Also make sure to see what part of the clinical portion they are replacing.

As a healthcare manager, I would ensure my team is well-versed in the capabilities and limitations of wearables by organizing training sessions and workshops. This foundational knowledge helps us make informed decisions about incorporating these technologies into our practice, ensuring they enhance patient care without unintended drawbacks.

Don't just jump on the wearable tech bandwagon! To level up your healthcare practice, assess your patient's needs and your goals. Identify key health outcomes you want to improve - for instance, consider continuous glucose monitors for chronic conditions like diabetes. Think about how wearables can improve patient monitoring, catch health issues early, and boost engagement. Choose wearables wisely - don't go for a one-size-fits-all approach. Pick a technology that addresses your specific patient population's challenges and aligns with your overall care goals.

Los dispositivos móviles son útiles cuando debemos monitorear una enfermedad existente, todo lo demás sería una esclavitud tecnologica más

For example, if managing chronic conditions is a priority, we might focus on devices that monitor vital signs or activity levels. This targeted approach ensures we choose technologies that truly enhance patient care and operational efficiency.

It is important to remember that the less data you collect, the less you have to safeguard. It may seem beneficial to collect as much data as possible, but this may not be clinically necessary. The information collected by the device should be relevant to the patient’s treatment. Data collected can be at risk of hacking, data loss, and software malfunctions. This makes it important to vet the device and software prior to recommending to the patient.

As a healthcare manager, I would ensure we implement robust data protection protocols. This includes using encrypted devices, educating patients about data privacy, and complying with HIPAA regulations. We can also regularly review and update our security measures to keep up with evolving threats. By prioritizing privacy, we can harness the benefits of wearable technology while safeguarding patient information.

Don't let wearables become a data dead end! To unleash their full potential, ensure seamless integration with your existing systems. Make sure wearables can talk to your EHR for smooth data transfer and quick, accurate health assessments. Partner with IT to create ironclad data security protocols that keep patient information safe. Train your team on using wearables effectively, emphasizing how to interpret data and apply it in real-world care. Regularly update everyone on the latest advancements in wearable tech. Finally, establish a feedback loop to continuously improve integration and address any technical or operational hurdles.

Someone told me the other day that they would create their own wearables, rather than utilise the APIs from health monitors that are already available. I would recommend you utilise solutions with existing read APIs to reduce costs, effort and risk. There are plenty of OSS projects on GitHub already you can leverage to support this. There are still diabetics using blood monitoring strips and writing this in a paper book, even though there are plenty of systems to write this directly into an EHR or produce trend graphs in the cloud. For some people little has changed since the 1970's, for others data is collected continually and they are better able to manage conditions.

Making sure that our IT and clinical teams collaborate closely to align wearable technology with our current infrastructure. We can conduct thorough testing phases and provide comprehensive training for staff to ensure smooth adoption. Additionally, we can also choose devices that are compatible with our electronic health record (EHR) systems to streamline data collection and analysis.

Determining cost savings is sometimes hard to do in digital health. Evaluating what someone 'might have done' isn't reliable. What is helpful is looking at broad stats, such as medical readmissions for a certain condition. Then evaluate whether, in certain populations, wearables bring those numbers down. Also think through how tech helps decrease costs that aren't obvious - travel and transport, for example.

As a healthcare manager, I would evaluate both the initial investment and long-term financial implications of implementing wearables. This includes comparing different devices, assessing maintenance costs, and calculating potential savings from improved patient outcomes and operational efficiencies. By conducting a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, we will ensure that the chosen technology provides value without straining our budget.