Wearable health technologies, such as fitness trackers, are becoming increasingly popular among consumers, but their integration into clinical settings has lagged behind. These tools offer potential for improving physical activity and health outcomes by providing real-time feedback and encouraging patient engagement. A new narrative review, published in Current Sports Medicine Reports, examines the use of wearables in monitoring and prescribing exercise in healthcare. The review highlights their ability to support health maintenance, disease prevention, and overall patient well-being. However, challenges remain in terms of usability for both patients and providers, and integrating data from wearables into electronic health records (EHRs) can be difficult.
The review identifies key factors for the successful implementation of wearable technology in healthcare, including ease of use, addressing data privacy and security concerns, and establishing clear guidelines for billing and reimbursement. While some studies show promising results in improving patient outcomes, more research is needed to standardize data collection and integrate wearables into clinical practice. The potential for wearable technology to transform healthcare is significant, but its success will depend on addressing technical, ethical, and practical challenges.
The review was authored by PM&R resident Jessica Sher, MD; Clinical Informatics Fellow Christopher Lewis, MD; and Professor Cindy Lin, MD, FACSM.