I had the privilege of listening to a thought-provoking radio interview featuring Sanne Lugthart, where she shared groundbreaking insights into how wearable technology is revolutionising healthcare, particularly in the management of sickle cell disease (SCD).

Such an informative discussion offers insight into the future of healthcare, which is looking bright as we embark on a movement towards personalised care, benefitting both patients and healthcare providers as they are equipped with the tools and resources to manage respective rare and chronic conditions.

SCD is a haemoglobin-related blood disorder that affects 8 million people worldwide. One of the most difficult aspects of living with SCD is the unpredictability of painful crises, which as Sanne mentioned, can “cause patients to get overwhelmed”. The unpredictable nature of a SCD crisis leaves a toll on a patient’s anxiety and stress levels, making it challenging for patients to manage and monitor their health effectively.

It is undeniable that interventions to improve patient quality of life are imperative, and with advancements in digital innovations, we can begin to fill the gap within healthcare through the ability to monitor and predict crises in real time.

One emerging piece of technology that can alleviate difficulties with managing patient health and improve outcomes through personalised care is the use of wearables. Wearables offer a platform to monitor and predict sickle cell crises through their ability to track key biometric data on sleep, activity, heart rate, oxygen levels and more. The ability to review these vitals in real-time enables proactive support and intervention for patients before a crisis reaches its peak.

This intervention can even occur within a home setting, as patients can make informed decisions by proactively planning their day according to the crises, improving quality of life and also alleviating stress regarding A&E demand, admissions and stays. Wearables therefore help eliminate the physical and emotional exhaustion of going to the hospital and contribute to a more streamlined healthcare experience.

Another digital innovation that operates seamlessly alongside wearables which Sanne mentioned that I strongly agree with, is the use of smartphone applications whereby patients can develop a digital wallet consisting of input patient-reported outcomes capturing daily physical health, pain, psychological wellbeing and quality of life scores. Through these advancements, patients can receive personalised care and feel empowered regarding their journey, significantly improving patient outcomes.

Sanius Health embraces digital innovations within healthcare, as we converge technology and healthcare to reform and revolutionise patient care and remote monitoring. Our innovative approach combines the use of user-friendly smartphone applications and wearable devices to aid patients, research, and healthcare by providing around-the-clock support through our patient ecosystem. This ability to remotely monitor health conditions and access digital records on the go ensures personalised proactive support and unlocks real-world data that facilitates future research.

As we continue to strive onwards to revolutionise healthcare, it is inevitable that some challenges may arise. For example, remote monitoring may evoke feelings of anxiety for some patients as they can see their health periodically decline. But, this is where healthcare support and teams intervene to build rapport with patients and provide wraparound care, which is possible through the use of these digital innovations. Whilst there may be initial issues, overall it is a positive improvement in our healthcare system. These innovations are not just beneficial for sickle cell disease management, but will continue to grow and support the management of rare and chronic conditions generally.

Sanius Health congratulates Sanne Lugthart for her exceptional piece on the significance of wearables in revolutionising healthcare, which has inspired and motivated myself alongside others to continue to strive to accelerate change within healthcare. Sanne’s work acts as a catalyst for others considering wearables to achieve personalised, patient-centred care. The potential of wearables has been illuminated by her piece, highlighting that they are becoming crucial tools in patient health management, drug development, and remote monitoring. As technology continues to innovate healthcare, we are pleasantly expectant to see Sanne’s contributions within the sphere.

Revolutionising healthcare is vital, and with the help of wearables, we are surely on the right path.