86% of Patients Say Wearable Devices Improve Health Outcomes, According to Software Advice Research
A study of patients prescribed wearables found that the majority experienced improved health, quality of life, and care.
AUSTIN, Texas – March 2, 2021 — Advancements in wearable devices allow patients and their doctors to make more informed health decisions. Software Advice surveyed nearly 500 U.S. patients using medically-prescribed wearable devices to understand their effectiveness. A resounding 86% of surveyed patients agreed that their devices improved their health and quality of life and enabled their doctors to provide higher care.
Patients found that commercial devices such as Apple Watch, Fitbit, and Oura Smart Ring were easier to use versus medically-prescribed devices (43% vs. 9%). Additionally, 15% of surveyed patients said their device gave them the ability to receive remote care, indicating a huge area for growth, especially for rural patients. The universal adoption and accessibility of wearable technology across the U.S. have opened the door for patients who may lack immediate access to healthcare facilities.
“Wearable devices are a modern marvel that gives actionable health insights to patients and doctors,” said Lisa Hedges, an associate principal medical analyst for Software Advice. “Patients cited invaluable awareness of their specific health issues, thus creating an incentive to make conscious lifestyle changes and increase proactivity on medication management.”
One major drawback Software Advice found was that a majority of patients (87%) have, at some point, recorded inaccurate data with their medical devices. Over half of the patients (65%) had to contact their doctor’s office to correct the issue. When asked what caused the inaccurate data, 85% said it had to do with device usability, revealing a need for UI/UX progress.
Other areas for improvement include solving issues related to cost, security vulnerabilities, and tech support. For example, some insurance providers will not cover wearable devices, forcing the patient to invest significantly. Additionally, privacy protections created by HIPAA do not currently extend to data generated or stored by commercial wearables.
Read the full survey and analysis on Software Advice. Medical providers can also explore EHR/EMR software that works with wearables to help improve patient outcomes at their practice.
About Software Advice
Software Advice™ helps businesses navigate the software buying journey. Industry-specific advisors guide people through the selection process and provide personalized software recommendations. Founded in 2005, Software Advice has helped more than 825,000 businesses find the right software for their specific needs through 1-on-1 advice, objective research, and actionable insights. Software Advice also features over 1 million verified user reviews to ensure people feel confident in their technology decisions.
