What will your future look like? How can you reach that exercise or diet goal? Can you imagine the day when you'll interface with your doctor through a smartphone? Many of these types of questions will be answered by wireless devices.
Treat 'em right
The innovation of wireless health or mHealth devices are especially exciting as they will have an impact not just on the health of you - the patient, but also the thousands of hospitals and clinics that see people like you daily.
Smart sensors and wireless devices such as the smart patch (also known as a band aid) are leading the charge of this wireless revolution. These tiny transmitters are adhered to the body and measure functions such as heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, glucose, etc.
The data is then sent to a smartphone or computer application that provides feedback in the form of prescription aid or assist in scheduling a doctor video conference, among others.
The potential benefits are huge. The treatment and cost efficiencies will greatly improve the situation of crowded hospital beds and outpatient visits. Assisted living treatment can be improved as well, especially in the areas of emergency response.
The direct impact on chronic disease maintenance is also very exciting. Imagine a diabetic or heart patient having this technology at their disposal? In this case, information is power.
An apple a day
In addition to the treatment of diseases, there are many exciting new advances in health maintenance and preventative care.
You're probably already familiar with the revolutionary Nike+ running shoe. This technology uses a similar type of widget that transmits data to an iPhone or iPod which will then track your progress, provide recommendations and connect you to a community of other runner enthusiasts.
Another interesting application to try out is the Sleep Cycle alarm clock iPhone app from LexWare Labs which tracks and analyzes your sleep patterns. I'm using it to examine my sleep phases and to find ways to get a better night's rest.
There are a slew of other applications to help you stay on track toward your health or fitness goals. These range from assisting with diet and nutrition to optimizing your energy for working out or managing a training schedule.
The time is right for healthcare to evolve. People are much more clued in to prevention and disease control than in years prior. The network is built and the catalyst devices are coming.
What will your future look like? Are you hacking your way to health? I'd love to hear about it.
Tim Andren is the founder of Guideas, Inc. an innovation and marketing company.
