Co-Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Health Monitoring Tool Using Smartwatch Data: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Abstract

Computational analysis and integration of smartwatch data with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) present potential uses in preventing, diagnosing, and managing chronic diseases. One of the key requirements for the successful clinical application of smartwatch data is understanding healthcare professional (HCP) perspectives on whether these devices can play a role in preventive care. Gaining insights from the vast amount of smartwatch data is a challenge for HCPs, thus tools are needed to support HCPs when integrating personalized health monitoring devices with EMR. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an application prototype, co-designed with HCPs and employing design science research methodology and diffusion of innovation frameworks to identify the potential for clinical integration. A machine learning algorithm was developed to detect possible health anomalies in smartwatch data, and these were presented visually to HCPs in a web-based platform. HCPs completed a usability questionnaire to evaluate the prototype, and over 60% of HCPs scored positively on usability. This preliminary study tested the proposed research to solve the practical challenges of HCP in interpreting smartwatch data before fully integrating smartwatches into the EMR. The findings provide design directions for future applications that use smartwatch data to improve clinical decision-making and reduce HCP workloads.

Smartwatches in healthcare medicine: assistance and monitoring; a scoping review

“…Thanks to technological advancements, smartwatches and wearable technology are rising in the diagnosis and symptom reporting field [ 67 , 75 ]. Researchers have conducted studies to assess these technologies' effectiveness, with encouraging outcomes.…”

“…Pairing the smartwatches utilized by the patient with additional smart wearable devices that can be employed by both the patient's companions and even healthcare professionals in the intensive care unit holds immense potential to transform it into an invaluable information tool. This confluence of technological advancements plays a pivotal role in diligently monitoring and tracking crucial symptoms exhibited by the patient [ 75 ]. Smartwatches incorporate advanced technology to deliver precise and up-to-date data, enabling medical professionals to comprehend their patients' health conditions.…”

“…Significantly, individuals have the convenience of monitoring their vital signs and other pertinent health information. They can securely send this information to their caregivers or healthcare professionals to improve the effectiveness of monitoring their state [ 75 ]. This ultimately improves the quality of patient care and enhances understanding of the patient's overall wellness.…”

“…The world of smartwatches has significantly advanced in recent years. However, most of these watches have been developed for convenience rather than to help with medical diagnosis [ 75 ]. Recent studies indicate that smartwatches' potential in detecting medical symptoms may be limited due to issues with precision and accuracy.…”

The Electronic Medical Record—A New Look at the Challenges and Opportunities

“…The accepted papers published within this Special Issue explored numerous aspects previously unaddressed in the literature on this topic. They employed a variety of methodologies, including interviews (Campos-Castillo et al) [14], data science (Baja et al) [15], the co-design of a digital mental health intervention (DMHI) followed by workshops (Patrickson et al) [16], and an intervention in the form of workshop followed by a survey (Paplialonga et al) [17]. A number of different theories were explored, including neo-institutionalism [14], the diffusion of innovation [15], and positive deviance [17].…”