Abstract
BackgroundWearable sensors connected via networked devices have the potential to generate data that may help to automate processes of care, engage patients, and increase health care efficiency. The evidence of effectiveness of such technologies is, however, nascent and little is known about unintended consequences.ObjectiveOur objective was to explore the opportunities and challenges surrounding the use of data from wearable sensor devices in health care.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative, theoretically informed, interview-based study to purposefully sample international experts in health care, technology, business, innovation, and social sciences, drawing on sociotechnical systems theory. We used in-depth interviews to capture perspectives on development, design, and use of data from wearable sensor devices in health care, and employed thematic analysis of interview transcripts with NVivo to facilitate coding.ResultsWe interviewed 16 experts. Although the use of data from wearable sensor devices in health and care has significant potential in improving patient engagement, there are a number of issues that stakeholders need to negotiate to realize these benefits. These issues include the current gap between data created and meaningful interpretation in health and care contexts, integration of data into health care professional decision making, negotiation of blurring lines between consumer and medical care, and pervasive monitoring of health across previously disconnected contexts.ConclusionsStakeholders need to actively negotiate existing challenges to realize the integration of data from wearable sensor devices into electronic health records. Viewing wearables as active parts of a connected digital health and care infrastructure, in which various business, personal, professional, and health system interests align, may help to achieve this.
Highlights
Many countries see digital transformation and digitally enabled self-management as a way to tackle key challenges of delivering health and well-being with limited health care resources to an increasingly aging population [1]
Stakeholders need to actively negotiate existing challenges to realize the integration of data from wearable sensor devices into electronic health records
The transformatory potential of wearable devices forms part of a pervasive set of technological innovations characterized as Internet of Things (IoT) technology; these devices are typically mounted on wireless broadband technologies and are often linked to social media platforms
Summary
Many countries see digital transformation and digitally enabled self-management as a way to tackle key challenges of delivering health and well-being with limited health care resources to an increasingly aging population [1]. IoT connectivity allows the sharing of data from wearable sensor devices across various contexts, potentially encompassing the user, caregivers, clinicians, and the health record. Advanced smartwatches have sensing capabilities that include temperature, blood pressure, stress, sleep quality, respiratory rate, physical activity, electrocardiograms, acceleration, and oximetry [6]. These capabilities are present in wearable sensor devices used in hospitals and clinics, albeit with less investment in the device aesthetics. Technologies are considered “smart” if they monitor, collect, and send data They differ from mobile devices such as smartphones in that they are wearable and do not require active data input or curation from the user. The evidence of effectiveness of such technologies is, nascent and little is known about unintended consequences
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