The Role of Wearable Devices in Revolutionizing Healthcare

The field of health technology is advancing rapidly, driven by progress in AI and edge computation, facilitated by the miniaturization of devices. Consequently, traditional healthcare, which relied heavily on humans and was characterized by bulky and expensive equipment, is now becoming more affordable and user-friendly. This reduction in cost and increase in accessibility are alleviating the burden on healthcare professionals, enabling them to monitor patients more efficiently and provide tailored treatment suggestions.

Remote Healthcare: Redefining Patient Care

With the advancement of technology, patients can now access treatment from the comfort of their homes. This trend suggests that the days of patients visiting healthcare facilities for simple issues will soon be a thing of the past. While human touch remains essential in healthcare, AI and wearable devices will significantly reduce the necessity for patients to physically visit healthcare providers. This shift mirrors the transformative effect that ATM machines had on banking, drastically reducing the need for people to visit brick-and-mortar banks in the past.

The Future of Teleconsultation and Remote Treatment Delivery

Though the current changes may not be readily perceptible, this revolution is poised to happen very soon. The Government of India has provided guidelines for teleconsultation, lending legal sanction to this mode of healthcare delivery. Teleconsultation is presently the most common form of remote healthcare, but evolving technology will likely expand its scope. Wearable devices, initially limited to detecting and transmitting data to physicians, will advance to the point where they can initiate treatment in emergencies, possibly with the assistance of healthcare robots deployed in patients' homes. These robots could intervene in the care of sick patients, with or without direct physician oversight, facilitating remote treatment delivery.

Predictive Healthcare: Early Intervention through AI

Future AI models will be able to predict possible adverse outcomes more early, thereby aiding in precautionary measures well in advance. This could help in preventing adverse events from occurring unattended.

Empowering Patients with Wearable Technology

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Integration with Electronic Health Records (EHR) and PHR

Wearable devices will soon be integrated into EHR and PHR of patients, thus NHA ABDM is all prepared to get integrated with this data. Sooner, many wearable devices will come in the market that are ABDM compatible. Imagine an Apple Watch which tracks your heart rhythm may send data to ABDM, thus storing the data. Later, the doctor could view the patient data when the patient visits the doctor, of course with the consent of the patient.

Patient Education and Empowerment:

These wearable devices, as anyone would expect, help in patient education by providing the right advice at the right time. Thus, reducing both long-term complications and preventing acute catastrophes from happening.

Precision Medicine:

With a vast amount of patient data getting collected, it could help in precision medicine and also help in creating healthcare policies at the national level.

Conclusion

The integration of AI, wearable technology, and telemedicine is reshaping the healthcare landscape, making it more accessible, efficient, and patient-centric. As these technologies continue to evolve, they hold the promise of revolutionizing how healthcare is delivered and experienced, empowering both patients and healthcare professionals alike. It's imperative for stakeholders to embrace these advancements and work collaboratively to ensure their responsible and equitable implementation for the benefit of all.