People who measure their health or fitness through apps and devices like the Fitbit are increasingly bringing this data to their health care providers. Though patients bring this data into the clinic thinking it will be helpful, doctors often don’t know what to do with it.
This discrepancy is the subject of a recent UW study conducted by physicians, computer scientists and engineers that takes a look at how this process could be improved.
After surveying 21 health care providers and over 200 patients, researchers learned that patients who track their fitness or diet, and subsequently show this information to their doctors, are hopeful that the information will help the doctors better understand their health. Patients also often seek advice, motivation, empathy and recognition of their efforts. However, many patients report being disappointed by how their doctors respond.
Although doctors want to help, they are often overwhelmed when patients bring the tracking data to them, researchers found. Data from apps and Fitbits can lack context, and may not be summarized in a form that’s useful to the doctors. And physicians also have concerns about whether enough study has been done to verify the tracking data.
The UW study aims to develop strategies that both doctors and patients can use to harness this data in more useful ways.
