Wearable companies have been focusing on health-monitoring features more than ever. Features like cardiovascular issues alerts, BP, and ECG monitoring are entering the market and have been well received by customers. However, the American Academy of Neurology has shared new guidelines for wearables in the March edition, urging users not to replace medical devices with wearable reports.
Earlier, many experts and analysts have shown their fear towards over-reliance of users on their wearables. None of the wearables has been able to achieve the accuracy required to determine someone’s health condition. It can be a quick assessment and may give an effective recommendation, but it always needs to be verified by the medical equipment.
Sarah M. Benish, author of the paper and fellow member of the American Academy of Neurology, said, “Wearable technology has grown in popularity, with some people using devices to share health data with their physicians. While these consumer devices may provide useful data for neurological conditions, some important issues remain, like making sure people are using them for the appropriate amount of time and have an understanding of their limitations, such as producing falsely alarming or falsely reassuring results.”
Can Wearables Replace Traditional Medical Devices?
Traditional medical devices have also evolved over the decades and achieved an accuracy percentage considered reliable for treatments and assessments. Wearables are starting to move on the path of medical equipment, but there are several aspects to consider. Wearables lack regulation, while medical equipment has always been operated by professionals and specialists.
Normal users easily believe the stats given by wearables, as the new generation is relying too much on technology and has a very shallow understanding of medical processes. In the American Academy of Neurology’s paper, many incidents have been highlighted, including cases of cardiac arrest, BP, ECG, and blood sugar monitoring. Wearables can be used as a screening tool, but not for the final verdicts. They are reminders to visit doctors and work on a better routine for health. However, sometimes users consider it a final verdict, leading to serious and long-term complications.
Make Wearables Your Companions, Not Doctors
Neurology Academy has made it clear that they are not against wearables, but there should be a difference between a medical wearable and a wearable with a few medical features. Wearables have a long way ahead to improve features and become a substitute for medical advice. However, it is not impossible, but it’s surely going to take time, and users must set boundaries when it comes to technology dependency.
No Comments