Survey casts doubt on utility of wearable devices in healthcare

The report is hardly the first to question the ultimate usefulness of wearables in the practice of medicine, or to raise issues of physician participation and payment hurdles.

Forrester cited huge data gaps, a doubtful reimbursement landscape and numerous other factors that hinder their usefulness today. “Looking at the big picture, consumer data is a proverbial knife in a gun fight today,” the report observed.

Along with the fact they are designed more with consumers in mind, it appears based on the dozens of interviews Forrest conducted that physicians are highly skeptical of such devices and the information they provide.

“I didn’t get into healthcare to look at data. My passion is helping people,” one physician in the Midwest told Forrester researchers. Other doctors expressed concern that the data they receive from wearables is not accurate. “I need to be able to trust the accuracy of the data. Companies would need to publish large studies documenting the accuracy of wearables across populations,” said another physician who practices in Northern California.

  | HEALTHCARE DIVE

Image Credit: Apple

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About Peter Coffaro 472 Articles
A growth-driven and strategic executive, Peter Coffaro commands more than 25 years of progressive management success within the medical device industry. Recognized by the World Journal of Orthopedics, Exponential Healthtech, and MedReps.com as one of the top medical sales influencers in the industry; he has 10 years of combined sales management experience and has held positions as a Director, General Manager, Distributor, and Vice President. Peter has worked for some of the top orthopedic companies in the world - Zimmer, DePuy, and Stryker. He is also the founder of OrthoFeed: a popular blog that covers digital orthopedic news and emerging medical technologies. Peter is a three-time Hall of Fame award winner at Johnson and Johnson and has an extensive background in organizational development, business development, sales management, digital marketing, and professional education. Peter holds a B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry from Northern Illinois University.

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