Key result
Survey shows ~73% of U.S. clinicians do not currently use wearable device data in practice.
Why the study?
Clinicians often rely on less reliable patient recall methods despite the widespread availability of wearable devices that collect extensive patient data.
Cross-Sectional (n=110)
A survey of U.S. clinicians reveals that while most do not currently use wearable device data in practice, there is significant interest in tracking metrics like step count, sleep, and blood pressure.
Low adoption signals implementation gaps for clinicians; leaves open how best to integrate step count, sleep, and BP data in research and care.
BACKGROUND Wearable devices are commonplace in today's society. The term "wearable device" includes a vast array of products and have the ability to collect a tremendous amount of patient data. Despite this, clinicians often depend on less reliable methods of data collection, influenced by patient recall. OBJECTIVE This project aimed to assess specific outcomes (measurables) physicians across multiple specialties would be most interested in tracking to improve patient care. METHODS A REDCap survey was distributed to U.S. based physicians and advanced practice providers (APPs) in current clinical practice to investigate current and prospective use of wearable devices in the clinical setting. Participation was voluntary. RESULTS 110 physicians and APPs responded to the survey. Family medicine (13.6%), pediatrics (12.7%), internal medicine (10.9%), and urology (10.9%) were the most represented specialties. The majority of respondents did not currently use data from wearable devices in practice (73%, n=81), but 50 respondents reported using data collected outside of the clinic setting (e.g., devices, symptom diaries, surveys). Of those who currently used wearable devices for patient care (n=30), 73.3% used Apple watches, followed by Fitbit devices (46.7%), Holter monitor (30%), heart rate monitor (16.7%), and other smart watches (6.7%). The most useful data reported were step count/miles walked (67.0%), sleep hours/quality (60.6%), blood pressure (56.9%), resting heart rate (53.2%), heart rate variability (47.7%), and weight (44%). Sixty-one of 90 respondents thought that about half, most all, or all of their patients would be willing to use a wearable device to collect data outside of the clinic setting. CONCLUSIONS Though fewer than 30% of survey respondents currently used wearable devices for patient care, nearly half reported using data collected outside of the clinic setting and a majority thought that 50% or more of their patients would be willing to use wearable devices. Our results emphasize the importance of continued development and implementation of wearable devices in patient care.
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Vaughan et al. (2022) reported a cross-sectional. Wearable devices was evaluated on Current and prospective use of wearable devices in the clinical setting. Among 110 surveyed U.S. clinicians, 73% did not currently use data from wearable devices in practice, though a majority believed their patients would be willing to use them.
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