Wearables and other healthcare monitoring devices were only beginning to gain momentum when COVID-19 hit. In many ways, the crisis fostered the climate most conducive to wearable technology’s acceptance.
Because doctor offices were originally shuttered during lockdowns and notoriously difficult to acquire appointments for, digital technology functioned as a bridge. In addition to being particularly conscious of their body temperature, oxygen saturation, and heart rate for both general and specific health reasons, many consumers were also worried about their overall health.
Data shows that wearables and health monitoring technology are on course to become a permanent part of participating consumers’ daily lives. Use of these digital healthcare-related tools has expanded beyond the pandemic’s emergency status.
Adoption of health-monitoring technology is increasing, as seen in the CareCredit report “Connected Wellness: Tracking The Rise Of Health-Tracking Technology.” Here, there have been increases in each of the three tracked categories: usage of a health-monitoring website or app, use of at least one health-monitoring device, and use of a health-monitoring wearable.