A common definition of wearable tech includes “any device that can be worn on the body to monitor or record data,” and this technology is used for a wide range of applications. Examples of wearables include smart watches, fitness trackers (like the Apple Watch Series 2) and devices that monitor health conditions like heart rate or blood pressure. Other wearables are embedded in clothing, such as smart jackets or smart pants that can be activated by a user’s touch and serve multiple functions, like answering calls, playing music or taking photos. Smart jewelry, such as the Oura ring, and epidermal electronics, which can be applied to the skin, also fall into this category.
In the field of healthcare, some wearables are being used to support remote patient monitoring and potentially reduce the demand on health systems by allowing users to monitor their own health status without the need for a consultation [2]. Data from certain wearables may flag early warning signs that require attention and help individuals arrange timely medical consultations.
However, some barriers to use of wearables have been identified by researchers and could potentially discourage regular uptake of this technology. These include the possibility of losing the device, hospitalization and feeling that the device is tedious to use. Other concerns include the fact that some wearables do not track other types of physical activity, such as strength exercises, and that the technology is not personalized enough for many users.