It’s unmistakable that wearable technology has begun innovating the way we track, manage, and evaluate our health needs. The rise in popularity of devices that are capable of tracking personal health and fitness-related data has been beneficial on both a personal and professional level. Considering how accessible advanced technology is for many patients and medical professionals, data tracking has become much easier and efficient — which is good news for us all. So, what exactly do these advancements in health-related data tracking look like?
Ready, Set, Action!
The experts at Life Sum aptly explain how wearable technology has been positively affecting the way we track our health, saying, “A health tracker is a way to take all your data and put it together to form a meaningful picture of your overall lifestyle, be it healthy or not so. It also makes these numbers actionable so that they deliver real meaning to our lives, rather than just a set of random numbers. Too often we track our activity and meals but don’t turn that data into healthy lifestyle decisions in ways that really matter.” The action part of this equation is essential and by providing a more easily digestible picture of how individuals can actually address their health concerns; it allows them to better manage their lifestyle and utilize the best solutions on a more individual basis.
This technology is also giving many under-served and those in rural communities a chance to have more awareness and solutions concerning their health. The artificial intelligence found within health trackers such as an Apple Watch or Fitbit can track almost anything, from your sleeping habits to how many flights of stairs you climb a day.
Data tracking devices are also beneficial to people with particular medical concerns such as diabetes, helping them to better track and monitor their diet and activity level. Due to customizability of this kind of technology, healthcare becomes more personal, and many are finding it easier to move away from the one-size-fits-all solutions of the past.
Filling in the Gaps
On a more professional level, many healthcare facilities are also seeing the benefits of this kind of data tracking. According to Duquesne University, “the healthcare industry stands to benefit from data analytics technology more than most … Traditionally, doctors’ offices, hospitals, and medical clinics of all sorts kept records in giant, room-sized filing cabinets full of hanging folders. In fact, such filing arrangements are still not uncommon. But many of the larger health organizations have adopted electronic health records (EHRs) to make records more easily accessible, harder to lose, and simpler to share.” Furthermore, many medical professionals are finding the connection with their patients is more fine-tuned and personal.
In the past, doctors weren’t able to constantly track their patients’ activity or diet; however, with data tracking and storage, these advancements in technology are filling in those gaps. There are a number of apps on the market where patients can input their daily activities and such, then share it with their doctor, giving them both a better picture of the individual’s lifestyle and in turn, where potential problems may arise. Prevention is a vital factor with most health concerns, and data tracking has certainly made it easier to work towards and implement preventive options.
As new technology and health-related data tracking emerges, both patients and medical professionals can look forward to more personalize care and solutions for their health concerns. By tracking, and in turn designing, more specific health solutions, this worthwhile data tracking technology can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of health and wellness.
About the Author
Avery Phillips is a freelance human based out of the beautiful Treasure Valley. She loves all things in nature, especially humans. Leave a comment down below or tweet her @a_taylorian with any questions or comments.
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