A smart device in the 21st century is an essential tool that bridges the gap between humans no matter where they are in the world. With the constant evolution of technology, we are now able to build a connection and socialise in astonishing ways we would have never imagined decades ago.
Though mobile phones are the most common smart devices that people are aware of, modern technology is continuously providing us with innovations that surpass the limits of our imaginations. Today, smart technology is applicable in almost every aspect and facet of our lives. We are now able to drive smart cars, live in smart homes, and interact with smart appliances.
A common smart device is designed to make our lives easier and as we progress towards the future, the boundaries of technology continue to expand more and more. Though many people claim that a world inundated with smart devices may lead to the downfall of society, the way that it’s restructuring certain aspects of medicine is a proven testament to its countless benefits.
How Smart Devices Are Revolutionising the Healthcare Industry
The development of medical technology is something that is in perpetual motion. We are constantly trying to find ways to improve and modify current innovations that aid in preserving different aspects of our health. Medical technology has evolved throughout the years and they have revolutionised the way we process healthcare and medicine.
Pharmaceutical processes have been made more efficient and biomedical research has drastically contributed to the rapid progress of healthcare today. The human lifespan has also increased throughout the decades and we can now access medical help for different conditions that were otherwise untreatable in the past.
Doctors are now able to use medical robots and devices to perform surgeries and examinations on patients. We now live in an era where the evolution of technology is at its fastest momentum and newer innovations that can provide more efficient healthcare continue to enter the market each year.
Smart technology has also penetrated the medical sector and is paving the way towards a new way to monitor patients. A typical smart device designed for the medical industry is capable of providing doctors and health practitioners critical data about their patients’ health. They are engineered to transmit all the necessary information without the need for face-to-face interactions.
This breakthrough in the healthcare industry is shaping a more modern concept for remote patient monitoring or RPM. A smart device capable of RPM may come in different forms though they are typically worn by the patients. Wearable smart devices can transmit real-time medical information from almost anywhere whether a patient is hospitalised or within the comfort of their homes.
Additionally, just like conventional mobile phones, a wearable smart device can process transactions and payments. They can also send message notifications and alerts to users aside from providing medical information and health statistics. Suffice to say, wearable smart devices are true attestations of how much medical technology has come a long way in history.
Defining a Wearable Smart Device
In recent years, different kinds of wearable smart devices have been developed for a more convenient user experience. Just like other technological innovations, they are constantly being improved and modified for different medical applications. Listed below are some of the most common medical information typically provided by a modern wearable smart device.
Fitness
Favoured by many fitness enthusiasts, a wearable smart device can provide information and statistics regarding daily activities. They can track the number of calories that are burned on a simple walk or a rigorous workout session. Smart devices can also provide the number of steps taken within a specific time frame and the total distance covered.
Sleep Patterns
Many people across the globe suffer from various kinds of sleeping disorders like insomnia and sleep apnoea. A wearable smart device is typically capable of monitoring sleeping patterns and provides information that can help address certain types of sleeping conditions.
They can calculate the average amount of sleep you normally acquire and can also detect any disruptions you may encounter at night. Some smart devices can even help regulate your natural body clock by providing suggestions on how you can improve your sleeping cycles.
Wellness and Health
When it comes to RPM, tracking a patient’s health and wellness is a crucial matter. A smart device can provide real-time information regarding different health parameters such as your heart rate and blood pressure.
They can also show information regarding a person’s blood oxygen and glucose levels. In some cases, a wearable smart device can even help manage stress levels by measuring a person’s electrodermal activity.
Different Kinds of Wearable Smart Device
As aforementioned, the technology behind wearable smart devices is constantly seeking ways to improve the concept of RPM. Because of this, they are often designed to be user-friendly and compact for the convenience of patients. Over the years, different types of wearable smart devices have been developed and the most common ones available in the market are as follows:
Smart Watches
Considered as one of the earliest forms of wearable technology, smartwatches are built with efficient fitness trackers that can provide users with real-time information. Aside from providing health data, they can also serve as smartphone extensions by sending messages, processing payments, and receiving social media updates. Other types of this wearable smart device even have GPS trackers meant for unforeseen emergencies.
Smart Clothing
These types of wearable smart devices utilise high-tech textiles with built-in sensors to provide real-time data and information. They are meant to connect to an app or a programme that displays the information gathered from the interwoven circuitry. Smart clothes can help athletes improve their performance by displaying kinesiological analyses during exercise and training sessions.
Smart Rings
This type of wearable smart device is both compact and highly functional especially when it comes to RPM. Though they are a lot smaller, they are just as efficient and functional as other devices in the market. They are typically built with strong sensors to provide real-time information to healthcare providers. Some smart rings even come with PPG sensors to monitor a patient’s heart rate and even spot early signs of atrial fibrillation.