Healthc Inform Res.  2012 Jun;18(2):97-104. 10.4258/hir.2012.18.2.97.

Wearable Sensors in Healthcare and Sensor-Enhanced Health Information Systems: All Our Tomorrows?

• Marschollek M
• Gietzelt M
• Schulze M
• Kohlmann M
• Song B
• Wolf KH

• KMID: 2045573
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2012.18.2.97

Abstract

Wearable sensor systems which allow for remote or self-monitoring of health-related parameters are regarded as one means to alleviate the consequences of demographic change. This paper aims to summarize current research in wearable sensors as well as in sensor-enhanced health information systems. Wearable sensor technologies are already advanced in terms of their technical capabilities and are frequently used for cardio-vascular monitoring. Epidemiologic predictions suggest that neuropsychiatric diseases will have a growing impact on our health systems and thus should be addressed more intensively. Two current project examples demonstrate the benefit of wearable sensor technologies: long-term, objective measurement under daily-life, unsupervised conditions. Finally, up-to-date approaches for the implementation of sensor-enhanced health information systems are outlined. Wearable sensors are an integral part of future pervasive, ubiquitous and person-centered health care delivery. Future challenges include their integration into sensor-enhanced health information systems and sound evaluation studies involving measures of workload reduction and costs.

Keyword

Ambulatory Monitoring; Health Information Technology; Decision Support Systems

MeSH Terms

Delivery of Health Care
Health Information Systems
Medical Informatics
Monitoring, Ambulatory